Guide to Harpoon Octoberfest
Harpoon Octoberfest
Harpoon Brewery
306 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 574-9551
www.harpoonbrewery.com
Date: Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29
Time: Fri – 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sat – 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Price: $20
The 23rd Annual Harpoon Octoberfest, held at the Harpoon Brewery in South Boston on the Waterfront, is one of the most anticipated events of the Fall around here. Held the last weekend in September, it's the largest German-style Octoberfest in the area. Featuring specialty beer, German food, games and German music, it's a guaranteed good time. Last year, Harpoon Octoberfest had more than 18,000 attendees. It's a great opportunity to enjoy the Fall weather and get some fresh air, as it is mostly outdoors. Octoberfest is a great excuse to make like the Germans and dance, drink and eat all weekend long.
To get to the event, there will be a free shuttle near the South Station MBTA stop. Event goers can also take the Silver Line SL2 or SL3 buses and get off at Harbor Street. For designated drivers, parking is available at garages right near the event.
Details
Rain or shine, thousands head down to the brewery for live music and an upbeat atmosphere unlike any other. The $20 entry fee includes a souvenir pint cup and one drink ticket. Additional Harpoon beers will be for sale inside (cash only). Options include India Pale Ale, Rich & Dan's Rye IPA, Octoberfest, Dark and Ale, UFO Hefeweizen and UFO White -- for just $5 (one token). There's plenty of food to go with all the beer at this 21-and-older event as well.
Food will be provided by two food vendors who specialize in sausages. Boston Event Specialists will feature favorites such as knockwurst and bratwurst. Fenway favorite The Sausage Guy will serve up German-style bratwurst as well, along with sweet Italian sausages.
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Entertainment
Entertainment will be offered on two stages on Friday and three stages Saturday. New England's premier German Oompa bands will perform, including the Oberlaendler Hofbrau Band at Stage Two Friday night from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. At the same times, at Stage One, The Jolly Kopperschmidts will also entertain the crowds.
Saturday, Stage Three will come alive with performances by non-oompah bands. Comanchero will perform from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by Howl At The Moon Dueling Piano Show from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Next up will be Bearstronaut from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with Matt Koelsch and the Allies finishing off all the action at Stage Three with its music from 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm.
Don't miss out on the contests, either. Take part in the German Cake Eating Contest Friday from 7:30 p.m. until 8:15 p.m., and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 6:30 pm. A Chicken Dancing Contest happens Friday from 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m..
Throughout the two-day event, games will go on to benefit charities, including the Harpoon Keg Bowling Game, in which participants roll an empty keg down the loading dock ramp and try to knock over 10 bowling pins. The Boston Blazers wheelchair basketball team also will host a game in which participants can shoot hoops from wheelchairs. As if there is not enough to keep guests occupied, take advantage of guided brewery tours during the event as well.
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Michelle Levine is a creative energetic, young professional that is passionate about everything Boston has to offer. She loves to attend local events, dine out, and cook and wants to share her findings with you. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
