Tarpon Springs Oktoberfest 2016: What To Know Before You Go

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – For one weekend every year, Tarpon Springs exchanges its famous Greek spirit for a full-on German festival.

The annual Tarpon Springs Oktoberfest has quickly grown to become one of Florida’s top German festivals. Now in its fourth year, the event has grown an extra day and is adding a bit of a nod to the area’s Greek and Italian heritage.

Here’s what area residents need to know before you go to the 2016 Tarpon Springs Oktoberfest:

Dates and Times

The 4th Annual Tarpon Springs Oktoberfest will take place Friday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to the closing ceremonies that start at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9.

Location

The event takes place in downtown Tarpon Springs on Orange Street, Hibiscus Street and Safford Avenue next to the Tarpon Tavern, 21 N. Safford Ave.

Admission

Admission is free to the festival for all three days.

Imported Beers

For the event’s Traditional Biergarten, event organizers import beers from two of the longest standing German breweries: Hacker Pschorr and Paulaner Munchen. This year’s spotlight beers are: Hacker Pschorr Original Oktoberfest, Hacker Pschorr Weisse Dark, Paulaner Oktoberfest Wiesn Bier and Paulaner Hefeweizen.

The surrounding bars and restaurants will also carry more traditional German and domestic brews. Click here to learn more about the Biergarten beers.

Schedule of Events

Organizers of the Tarpon Springs Oktoberfest said the event will be double in size of previous years. There will be amusement rides, arts and crafts and live entertainment throughout the weekend. Here is the schedule of events:

Friday, Oct. 7

• 10 a.m.-11 p.m.: Arts and crafts open
• Noon to 11 p.m: Food and beer tents open
• 3 to 7 p.m.: Live music with Rusty Rein Hard Country Roster
• 6 to 10 p.m.: Amusement rides open
• 6 to 11 p.m.: Tapping of the Kegs
• 7 p.m.: Weiner Dog Demonstration Race and Balloon Wiener Dog Race
• Music Intermission: Stein hoisting contest
• 7:30 to 11 p.m.: Live music with The Black Honkeys

Saturday, Oct. 8: Here Come the Germans

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Artisan and craftsmen tents open
• Noon to 11 p.m.: Beer and food tents open; amusement rides
• Noon to 11 p.m.: Live German music
• 6 p.m.: Wiener Dog Races and Awards. Preregister for the events at http://www.floridawienerdogderby.com/registration.html.
• 6 p.m.: Best beard contest (ladies and men welcome)
• 8 p.m.: Chicken dance and best German costume contests
• 9 p.m.: Beer stein hoisting contest, sing-alongs and dancing until close

Sunday, Oct. 9

• 11 a.m.: Yoga & Beer session under the Big Tent with Anytime Fitness staff instructors
• Noon to 6 p.m.: Artisan and craftsmen tents open
• Noon to 6 p.m.: Live German oompah polka, modern music, beer and food tents open; celebrity toasts
• Noon to 6 p.m.: Amusement rides open
• 6 p.m.: Final toast and closing ceremonies

For more information, visit www.FloridaOktoberfest.com or the festival's Facebook page.

Image via JT Lindroos, Flicrk, used under Creative Commons