Lacie Sims

It’s the 42nd  Oktoberfest weekend, the artisan’s have set up their tents, over 25 food vendors have stocked their kitchens, two stages have been set up for the  dozen bands that have been booked, the crafts are ready for the kids tent,  the craft beer tent has been expanded and the tv’s are tuned to football.

Many of us will head over and grab a beer and a brat for a few hours but for a dedicated group of volunteers, this weekends party is a lot of hard work. The DAI Associate board is made up of thirty two couples, who have all made a four year commitment to work and fundraise on behalf of the museum. With 2 major events to work on (Art Ball and Oktoberfest) the average board member puts in over 100 volunteer hours each year and will help raise over $20,000 during their four year term.

As 4th year Associate Board Members and Oktoberfest Chairs, Lacie Sims and her husband Marty Beyer have dedicated themselves to creating a bigger and better festival this year.   Check out these new additions to the schedule:

 

Young Professional Happy Hour:  Thursday,  Sept  26    5-8pm Network and hang out with colleagues and friends on the grounds of The DAI at our first Oktoberfest Young Professionals Happy Hour event on Sept. 26! Get the FIRST pour of Oktoberfest beers and wines and grab a bite to eat from  the hottest food truck in town – Zombie Dogz!  Admission is $20 and includes two drinks, as well as a ticket for admission to Oktoberfest on either Saturday, Sept. 28 or Sunday, Sept. 29.

Oktoberfest Business Lunch : Friday, Sept  27   11am – 2pm With free admission and free shuttle service courtesy of RTA, you’re invited to grab a brats or mett for lunch, pick up a mug or souvenir t-shirt.  Shuttle service starts at 10:30am and will run along  Main Street, Fifth Street and Second Street. Check out the shuttle route here.

They’ve taken their positions very seriously, scouting bands, tasting beers and even hosting this writer for a beer  and band preview. Lacie is especially excited with the Preview Party band,  The Spazmatics –  who perform 80’s,  new wave and today’s popular music complete with “nerdography” and “spaztic” movements.  You’ll hear live music all weekend long, both on the Main stage and in the food tent, with many of Dayton’s favorite bands, like Skilless Villans, Good English, Spungwurthy and Kick-N-Flava.  And as you’d expect at any event called Oktoberfest, their will also be Polka and Accordian Bands in the mix, too!

Marty was most proud of the variety of beer being offered this year, including some Oktoberfest exclusives, like Harpoon Imperial Pumpkin, which will make it’s Dayton debut at the festival.  You’ll also want to be sure and try a brew from Brauhaus Riegele, a small German brewery that began brewing in 1386 in Augsburg,  which just happens to be Dayton’s sister city in Germany.  A special cask tapping of Dry Hopped Nosferatu from Great Lakes Brewing  will take place Saturday afternoon about 1pm.  For true beer aficionados, you’ll want to check out these special scheduled tastings:

Saturday
1 p.m. – Hoppy Beers, presented by Bonbright Distributors Five different styles of hoppy beers
3 p.m. – Unibroue tasting, presented by Cavalier Distributing
5 p.m. – International Beer Tasting with five International favourites, hosted by Larry Leonhardt of Chappys Tap Room 

Sunday
1 p.m. – Ohio Breweries, presented by Cavalier Distributing, featuring Jackie O’s, Hoppin’ Frog, and Fat Head’s
3 p.m. – Crispin Cider Tasting, hosted by Chris Fritz of Bonbright Distributors

There will even be some special seminars for Wine and Whiskey fans as well.  All the seminars require you to purchase a tickets and will be limited to 40 attendees and will take place in the Leo Bistro.

Saturday
Seminar 1, 2 p.m.  “BYOB” – Build Your own Bourdeaux
Seminar 2, 4 p.m.    American Whiskey, presented by Heidelberg Distributing

Sunday
Seminar 1, 2 p.m.  Presented by Heidelberg Distributing & Banfi Wianery
Seminar 2, 4 p.m. “Art Andalucian” – Tasting Wines from Spain   Hosted by Nola Palomar Veleta Wines

For more information about Oktoberfest, please check the DAI website.  And as a special treat, DaytonMostMetro wants to send a lucky reader and their guest to enjoy the Preview Party, this Friday Night.  This exclusive sneak peek runs from 7-11pm and includes complimentary beer, wind and soft drinks, and the opportunity to buy the best of the artisans goods. These tickets are $45 for member, $60 for non-members and are quite limited. To be eliblible to win these tickets, like and share this article and fill out the form below. Winner will be randomly drawn at 11pm Thursday night.

Thanks to all who entered!  Congratulations to Sarah Carter of Kettering – we’ll see you at the preveiw party!