Ziggy Zaggy, Ziggy Zaggy, Oye! Oye! Oye!
Oktoberfest is upon us, and the Franksville Craft Beer Garden is serving up all the gemuetlichtkeit this weekend in a free to attend celebration, September 27 through September 30.
Four fun-filled days of craft beer, food, live music and games will kick off the inaugural Oktoberfest of Racine County presented by Educators Credit Union. A portion of the event’s proceeds benefit the Mt. Pleasant and Caledonia Parks and Rec departments, as well as the Caledonia-Mt. Pleasant Memorial Park.
Festivities begin Thursday, September 27th with free beer, live music and a ceremonial toast. Educator’s Credit Union is kicking things off with a free pint for ECU members. “We’re excited to be partnering with Educators Credit Union. Their values and commitment to the community are exactly in-line with our mission to develop the Franksville Craft Beer Garden into something that truly serves the people of this area.” explained FCBG co-owner, Ken Michel, Jr. “Their support for Oktoberfest has been tremendous.” Educators members can show their ECU card to receive their first pint free on Thursday night, and then to get $1 off every beer on Friday and Saturday during the event.
Thursday night of the event will also feature free beer from the ceremonial first keg of Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest until it runs out, beginning at 5 p.m. Jay Matthes, a FCBG favorite, will be performing from 6 p.m. til 9 p.m., with a small intermission for the ceremonial first toast at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to join in for a raise of your beer stein and a hearty “Prost!” along with village officials, FCBG owners, representatives from Educators Credit Union, and the honorary Mayor of Oktoberfest.
There’s something for everyone, the entire weekend. You’ll find Hammerschlagen, a bounce house, stein hoisting competitions on Saturday, yard games, traditional concertina music, food from local food trucks and great fun everyday. The Kraut Music Fest will be sponsoring a Kraut Eating Competition on Friday at 6 p.m..
“The big attraction is, of course, the live music.” explained Molly Michel, co-owner of the FCBG. “We’re thrilled to have The Love Monkeys on Friday night and Rebel Grace on Saturday evening. They are two great bands with fantastic fans and even better shows.” Both bands will play from 7 p.m. til 10 p.m., in a large tent on the beer garden grounds.
The Beer Garden will have a limited number of commemorative half-liter Oktoberfest steins and pint glasses for purchase. On Saturday beginning at 11 a.m., the first 200 people will receive a free Oktoberfest pint glass to commemorate the event. If you are interested in guaranteeing one of the steins for your own, VIP packages are available. The package includes a stein, two free beers, VIP seating, and a swag bag. VIP packages can be purchased on the event website: http://hopheadscraftbeer.com/oktoberfest
“We’ve enjoyed seeing the beer garden bring the community together all season long over a beer.” remarked Ken Michel, “It’s something that has really connected people.” The Beer Garden will have over 25 beers on tap including favorites from Lakefront Brewery, Third Space, New Glarus and MKE Brewing Co. “We’ll have some of our favorite Oktoberfest and fall beers on tap, as well as many of the favorites from this summer.”
You can trade your lederhosen and dirndls for some Packer green and gold on Sunday for the Packer Party at noon. Prizes are given away for each touchdown, and the big screen will gather everyone together to cheer on the Pack for a relaxing day in the park.
Oktoberfest is open:
Thursday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Franksville Craft Beer Garden will continue to be open into October until it’s closing weekend, October 19-21. The Franskville Craft Beer Garden is Racine’s first and only permanent Beer Garden, and is open weekends from Memorial Day through October. The Beer Garden is located within the Caledonia-Mt. Pleasant Memorial Park at 9614 Northwestern Ave in Caledonia. Additional information can be found at www.franksvillecraftbeergarden.com
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