If there’s anything Main Street Kent’s Executive Director Heather Malarcik has learned about hosting Oktoberfest over the years, it’s that people will come out, some of them dressed in lederhosen, to watch German dancing and toast with their friends — regardless of the weather.
“One year we had snow, and one year we had temperatures in the ‘90s. People just don’t want to miss it,” she said.
Main Street Kent kicks off its annual Oktoberfest celebration at noon on Saturday, Sept. 25 with polka and traditional dancing by the German Family Society Youth Group. Then at 3:30 p.m., local bands will take the stage until the event ends at 10 p.m.
As in past years, vendors offering authentic German fare and trucks featuring a variety of seasonal beers and ciders will line Franklin Avenue. Attendees will be able to buy commemorative Oktoberfest plastic beer pitchers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Glassware will not be available at this year’s event.
Oktoberfest is one of the main fundraisers for Main Street Kent, an organization known for drawing crowds downtown to support businesses during events like Wizardly Weekend and the Art & Wine Festival.
In 2019, the event brought in over $30,000. Proceeds will help cover Main Street Kent’s operating costs, like rent and payroll, and go toward marketing downtown businesses, beautification and public art, Malarcik said.
Kent businesses benefit from Oktoberfest too. Jeff Crowe, who owns and operates Erie Street Kitchen out of The Venice Cafe, said during past Oktoberfests, he has usually sold double what he’d sell on a Saturday. The celebration also provided great exposure for the establishment when it first opened and was lesser known, Crowe said.
Ray’s Place owner Charlie Thomas said his restaurant typically does “really well” during Oktoberfest and his staff looks forward to the event. “Usually it’s very festive, there’s football games on, and everybody’s in a good mood,” he said.
This year, Ray’s will serve bratwurst and German potato salad from it’s bay window, and Erie Street Kitchen will sell sauerkraut, sausage and pretzel bites with cheese sauce.
Even though Kent City Council members voted to keep the DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, a program which allows alcoholic beverages to be purchased at local establishments for outdoor consumption) in place, Thomas said his establishment won’t be serving alcohol that can be carried outside. Other businesses that sell DORA beverages, including The Venice Cafe, have chosen to follow suit.
Crowe said he supports business owners’ decisions to refrain from selling DORA beverages during the fundraiser, since the seasonal alcohol sales from the event hosts typically covers the cost of the event. “Oktoberfest is a major fundraiser for Main Street Kent, and they suffered through Covid too. They lost Art & Wine, and a couple other things they do to help fund [their organization],” Crowe said.
Both Crowe and Thomas said they’d like to reciprocate the support Main Street Kent has given them over the years, especially during Covid. Thomas said the organization’s push to establish the DORA has had a “tremendous” positive impact on his business.
“Almost everything they do puts butts in seats. They bring people downtown, and we all benefit — whether it’s a coffee shop or record store or T-shirt shop. If there are people downtown, they’re gonna shop recreationally,” Crowe said.
This year, Oktoberfest will expand its footprint to include a section of West Main Street and Hometown Bank Plaza. The event is cash-only, and attendees must bring proper identification. No pets are permitted at the event, though service animals are welcome.
The musical lineup for the day is as follows:
12:00 p.m. – Mike Wojtila Trio
12:30, 1:30 & 2:30 p.m. – Dancing by the German Family Society Youth Group
3:30 p.m. – Brent Kirby Trio
5:30 p.m. – Buffalo Ryders
8:00 p.m. – Twistoffs
The Portager is proud to help sponsor Oktoberfest along with Platform Beer Co., College Town Kent, Hometown Bank, NOPEC, Portage Community Bank and AMETEK.
This article was sponsored by Main Street Kent.
