Organizers Of 13th Annual Oktoberfest Tampa Say 'Willkommen'

TAMPA, FL — Dig out your lederhosen and alpine feathered hats and prepare for a taste of Germany at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Tampa as the city hosts its 13th annual Oktoberfest Tampa, kicking off Friday night and running through Sunday.

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park will be transformed into the city’s largest waterfront beer garden, filled with the sound of alphorns as attendees sample German beers, test their skills in keg-stacking and stein-hoisting contests and attempt the complicated steps of the Schuhplattler and other traditional Bavarian folk dances.

A variety of beers from traditional German Pils to multiple Oktoberfest märzens and Hefeweizens will all also be available (or wine and fresh-squeezed lemonade for the non-beer drinkers).

Additionally, food vendors will be on hand serving up classic chicken schnitzel, Jaegerschnitzel with mushroom gravy sauce and spätzle, traditional bratwurst, Oktoberfest sausage and frankfurters.

Festival goers are encouraged to participate and, perhaps, win prizes or at least bragging rights in the event's traditional Outrageous Bavarian Games including stein hoisting, keg stacking, the brat toss, the liter stein bucket race, Schwartze Loch (corn hole), Tauziehen (tug-o-war), the grain sack toss, the barrel roll, the stein race and the carry the wench contest.

Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $10 to $20 and are available here. Tampa first responders and members of the armed forces are admitted for free.