Dust off the dirndl, latch those lederhosen, grab your stein, and don’t forget the kids. Camp Richardson’s 25th Annual Lake Tahoe Oktoberfest is Oct 5-6!
We’ve been celebrating Oktoberfest in Tahoe like nowhere else in the basin since 1994. And with 25 years of good vibes under our belts, we’re about to make Camp Richardson’s Oktoberfest 2019 our most bluetiful fest yet. Check it out!
A bit of Oktoberfest history
The city of Munich, Germany, held the first Oktoberfest on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Wanting to include Munich’s citizens in the nuptial celebration, the royal couple invited locals to attend festivities held on grassy fields just outside the city. A series of raucous horse races closed out the event, laying the foundation for Oktoberfest celebrations all over the world for the past 200 years.
Oktoberfest has changed quite a bit since 1810, but Camp Richardson’s Lake Tahoe Oktoberfest has all the good stuff that makes this annual folk festival the much-anticipated event it is today. Expect a well-stocked beer and wine garden, an assortment of delicious foods and desserts, the crowd-pleasing, toe-tapping, polka passion of the Gruber Family Band, all kinds of fun for the kids, and, best of all, admission is FREE!
An Oktoberfest for families
Wir lieben die Kinder! People say family friendliness is one of the top reasons they love Camp Richardson’s Oktoberfest. That’s because kiddos are always part of the fun and celebration! The wide variety of entertaining, family-friendly activities to choose from sets our two-day celebration apart.
This year, kids of all ages can assess their skills on the Xtreme Air Climbing Wall, then beat feet to the bouncy house to burn off even more energy. Tell the kids they can look forward to great grub and goodies, face-painting fun, and picking the perfect jack-o-lantern from the pumpkin patch.
Contests, booths, food and brews (the essentials)
If you’ve ever checked out our annual Snowshoe Cocktail Races, you know we like to keep things competitive around here (though, only in the nicest way). So, if you’re itching to show off your authentic German garb, you and your mutt can strut that stuff in our Peeps & Pups costume contest (just be sure to keep your fuzz-muzzle on a leash, purdy please).
Have a hearty appetite? Consider taking on our most challenging Oktoberfest event: the bratwurst eating contest. Will you be crowned this year’s Golden Weenie? Only time shall tell.
Sink your teeth into a freshly cooked turkey leg or IPA beer-infused bratwurst created just for our Oktoberfest. Then head over to the Camp Rich booth to pick up this year’s custom, German-made lidded glass stein and a short or long-sleeve t-shirt with 2019’s signature Oktoberfest design.
You can even get a jump on fall decorations or Christmas shopping with a stroll through the craft booths. Expect more than 40 of them, featuring all kinds marvelous merch and locally made products. It’s a guarantee: Camp Richardson’s 25th Annual Oktoberfest celebration has something every member of the family will love.
HEADS UP: This is a cash-only event, so remember to bring along cash or your debit card (ATMs available onsite). Free campground parking is also available.
Join us October 5 and 6 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Fröhliches Oktoberfest, freunde!