Oktoberfest 2010 with authentic German food, German beer and a Munich style tent is considered by many to be the largest, most authentic Oktoberfest in West Central Florida.
To see some of the fun from last year watch our video. Be sure and take advantage of our $2 off COUPON
Where: Tampa Bay Downs
When: October 22-24, 2010 Friday 5pm to 11pm / Saturday 11am to 11pm / Sunday 12pm to 7 pm
How much: $5 per person, Military families with proper identification and children under 12 are free. (Check our website for a $2 off coupon)
We're easy to find. Use the map or plug 11225 Racetrcak Road Tampa into your GPS.
Set for the weekend of October 22-24 at Tampa Bay Downs – to provide a bigger and better celebration with acres of FREE parking – Oktoberfest brings the best of Old Bavaria and New Florida together for three full days of authentic German food, drink, music and dancing ... along with a spectacular carnival & midway, a great arts & crafts show, and the wildest array of audience participation contests that the Tampa Bay area has ever seen!
So, you ask, just how did the Top o’ the Bay suddenly become Bavaria by the Bay?To tell you the truth, we have no idea!But as for the history of Oktoberfest itself, well, that’s a completely different story...
Way back on October 12, 1810, the event which the world now knows as “Oktoberfest” began in Germany as a simple wedding reception.
OK, so maybe it wasn’t so simple. After all, the participants were Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony, and every man, woman and child in the city of Munich was invited.But, hey ... it was a wedding that got this whole thing started.
Two hundred years later, the 15th Annual Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest is a “wedding” as well ... a wedding of Old Bavarian and New Floridian cultures, meshing Old World customs with New World traditions in a festival which has quickly become one of the most popular annual events in the entire Tampa Bay area.
Something for everyone at Oktoberfest
Oldsmar and Upper Tampa Bay’s version of this 200-year-old German tradition is both the largest and the longest-running Oktoberfest in West Central Florida, attracting approximately 20,000 people each year to the northernmost shores of Old Tampa Bay.
Why do they come? Some come for the music, the singing and dancing, others for the great German sausage, the Hofbrauhaus chicken, the Munich-style beer and Rhine wine.
Teens love the thrill of the carnival and midway; the young ones can't wait to have their faces painted and dance the “Chicken Dance.” We have plenty of those wacky chicken hats available in case you’ve misplaced yours.
Check out the German menu, the arts, crafts and exhibits; saw the logs, throw the kegs and hold the steins.
No matter your age, your interests or attitude, you're sure to find something to your liking at the Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest!
Folk dancing & waitress racing
The Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest will feature performances by three different German folk dancing troupes ... including a group from little ‘ol Oldsmar!
The Gulf Coast Emzianer Schuhplatter Dancers of Pinellas Park will perform two sets on both Friday night and Saturday afternoon, while the Maiglockchen German Folk Dancers of Daytona Beach will “grin-and spin” on the dance floor on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
So grab the kids and grab a seat ... and watch out for those high-flying axes!!
Last – but certainly not least – is another Oktoberfest tradition which is unique to Oldsmar and Upper Tampa Bay ... the Annual Top o’ the Bay Waitress Races. Three-person teams will go “head-to-head” in a no-holds-barred, stein-toting relay race, to be held Sunday afternoon under the Oktoberfest Bigtop.Don’t be surprised to see some real “characters” get involved in this one.
Again … make sure to get a seat early ... but watch where you sit!If Waitress Race “officials” walk up and place half-dozen one liter beer steins on your table, you could wind up getting wet!
It’s your turn – get into the act!
All weekend long, you're invited to get "into the act" by participating in one of the hourly contests on (and around) the Main Stage.Sign-up early for the Stein-Holding Contests, 'cause you can bet the field will be full when we call the Macho Men and Lovely Ladies to the stage to take part in this contest of strength, endurance and sheer determination.
If sawing logs is more your speed, find yourself a partner and grab a two-man saw, then head for the dance floor to strut your stuff at center stage in the Men's or Ladies' Log Sawing Contest.
One word of warning, however ... it isn't always the strongest, the biggest or the fastest that wins this event – it's got a lot to do with teamwork, timing and rhythm.Any takers?
Keg Hurling, anyone?
The World Keg Hurling Championships will return to the Top o' the Bay Oktoberfest in 2009, as we search for a man-mountain or lady-heaver who will ‘toss’ the aluminum obelisk into the next Millennium.
Be outside the Oktoberfest tent – in the Keg-Hurling Pit – at 6:30 p.m. Saturday to help crown the World Keg Hurling Champion.
One word to the wise, however – pay attention to the hurlers when they step into the pit and start swinging that keg back-and-forth.Most of these guys put more emphasis on distance than they do on accuracy, and a wayward keg “up side o’ the head” will give you a headache that a dozen Buds won’t take away.
To take part in ourtwo-man (or woman) log-sawing contests, the stein-holding competitions, or the 2009 World Keg Hurling Championships ... all you need to do is sign up at the Oktoberfest Bar … and we'll make you an Oktoberfest star!
Roll Out the Barrel
Plus beer barrel rolling contest this year on Friday night.We’re planning this as a team event.We’ll let the kegs loose at 7 pm Friday night for this one so plan our strategy now.This one should be a barrel of fun!
Family-style fun
While Mom and Dad are enjoying themselves under the Oktoberfest Bigtop, they can feel free – and comfortable – turning the kids loose on the Arnold Amusements carnival and midway ...one of the best (and cleanest) carnivals anywhere in the Southeastern United States.
Getting there
Oktoberfest is easy to find ... Tampa Bay Downs is located about one mile north of Tampa Road/Hillsborough Avenue in Oldsmar.
When coming from the east or west, simply turn north when you come to the stoplight at Race Track Road and Tampa Road/Hillsborough Avenue. Parking attendants will direct you to the closest parking (including handicapped) available…so get there early!
For more information, call the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce at (813) 855-4233, or visit www.OktoberfestTampaBay.com.
To be a part of this year's event please contact us at 813.855.4233 or email Mark mhowe@UTBchamber.com
In 2008, an Economic Impact Survey showed that over $430,000 was brought to the Oldsmar community from this event alone!
Thank you to the following 2010 Oktoberfest Sponsors:
