Oktober Brewfest

It all started in Munich as a wedding celebration in 1812, but today has become the biggest party in all of Europe, celebrating the German spirit each year with good food, good drink, and great home-grown entertainment. Oktoberfest, with its enthusiasm for fun and frolic, will be transplanted to the Virginia Beach oceanfront for Oktober Brewfest, to be held Saturday & Sunday, October 11 & 12, 2008, at the Beachstreet Seaside Palladium at 24th Street & Atlantic Avenue (24th Street Park).

Sample authentic German beers as the park at 24th Street is transformed into a two-day festival celebrating everything that is German! Expect the unexpected at one of the craziest events ever to hit Virginia Beach! A German oompa band, Dachshund beauty pageant, wacky competitions, and Bavarian cuisine are all a part of this event that’s fun for the whole family!

Admission to Oktober Brewfest is free but there's a charge for each German beer purchased. German sausages, pretzels, nuts, and pizza vendors are all a part of the festival.

All Dachshund owners are invited to enter their dogs in the Dachshund Beauty Pageant, held throughout the weekend. There is no entrance fee, but all dogs entered must be present for the preliminaries on Saturday, October 11. Those Dachshunds that are selected as finalists will return on Sunday, October 12, where the winner and runners-up will be crowned. Dog owners may dress up their Dachshunds and prepare talent presentations to sway the judges. Trophies are awarded for 1st Place, and 1st and 2nd Runners-Up.

Players can step right up to the “Drench a Wench” dunking booth and test their throwing ability. The cost is $2 for 3 balls, with proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.

German games, the Chicken Dance, and live entertainment round out the festival. On Saturday and Sunday, from 1:00pm-4:00pm, the Biermeisters German oompa band gets the crowd on its feet! Oktoberfest switches into high gear on Saturday night with ROCKtoberfest! Popular local band "Das Boot-er" (BUTTER) will “rock the Festhaus” with high-energy rock!

Master of Ceremonies Pasquale Giovani, popular host of "The Restaurant Show" on WTAR 850 AM, will help keep the beer flowing and the fun brewing! Accomplished host/interviewer and Navy veteran, Pasquale Giovani has been hosting and producing talk shows for over ten years. In addition, he interviews and interacts with a variety of CEO's, politicos, and people on the go. A Farm Fresh President's Award recipient, who excels in consumer issues and community news and interests, he works with diverse charitable boards and marketing groups.