Local breweries from Cortez, Durango and the Southwest are participating this year in Cortez Oktoberfest, an all-day event akin to the annual, popular celebration from Germany and hosted around the world.
Cortez Oktoberfest, in its second year, is specifically organized as a community gathering and has plenty of options for families, said organizer Randy McKnight.
Unlike other beer festivals, the free event offers plenty of activities aside from partaking in adult beverages. A supervised children’s activities area will be led by the Cortez Recreation Center personnel, McKnight said, while other activities for adults include keg rolling, traditional steinholding and the best-dressed competitions.
The event takes place from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 in Parque de Vida at 400 N. Mildred Ave.
McKnight and his wife, Kathleen McKnight, volunteer their time to organize Oktoberfest. The event materialized following community demand for more family-friendly gatherings and after the success of the couple’s long-running Celtic Fair.
“It was quite successful last year,” he said. “My wife and I donate 100% of our time to put the festivals on. We get nothing in return financially, but we do believe that everyone should give back to their community that they live in.”
While attendees only pay for their own food and beverages, the festival this year plans to donate a portion of the beer proceeds to Renew, a local nonprofit serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Live music will run throughout the day, starting at noon. The bands perform in one-hour sets, separated by 30-minute intermissions. The lineup features bluegrass music from The Badly Bent, based in Durango, and the traditional Celtic-style music from Patrick Crossing. Charlie Stacey, a vocalist, is also set to perform.
The beer options are coordinated by DeWayne Jackson of Mancos Brewing Company, with additional beer supplied by Coors. The menu includes varieties from WildEdge Brewing Collective, Main Street Brewery, Dolores River Brewery, Ska Brewing, Carver Brewing Co., Moab Brewery and more.
For food, McKnight said vendors will provide traditional German dishes like bratwurst, schnitzel, red cabbage and potato salad, alongside other favorites like kettle corn.
awatson@the-journal.com
