Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, presented by Samuel Adams and produced by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, will be held September 15-17 on Second and Third Streets, between Walnut and Elm Streets in downtown Zinzinnati.
First held in 1976, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati has grown to be America’s largest Oktoberfest with nearly 650,000 people attending each year. The celebration is a Cincinnati tradition made even better with new innovations each year.
Provided photos
2017 Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Grand Marshals
This year’s Grand Marshals are Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green. They will lead the World’s Largest Chicken Dance, Sunday, September 17, 1 p.m. at the Sam Adams Main Stage, Second and Elm Streets.
OKTOBERFEST ZINZINNATI HOURS
Friday, September 15, 5–11 p.m.
Saturday, September 16, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, September 17, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
NEW FOR 2017
Expanded Zinzinnati Craft Bier Garten
The expanded Zinzinnati Craft Bier Garten will feature five regional Cincinnati breweries in an intimate, yet bigger location at Third and Walnut Streets. Featured breweries for 2017 are Braxton, MadTree, Rhinegeist, Taft’s Ale House and Samuel Adams and Urban Artifact collaborating to present Tricorne.
Tricorne is a tart New England IPA, which will simultaneously enjoy its world debut at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati and the Ohio Pawpaw Festival. The collaboration is brewed with Paw Paw fruit, which is native to Ohio.
Braxton Fass Bar
The all-new Braxton Fass Bar at Third and Walnut Streets will feature weekend sports and more on a 20-foot LED TV atop an elevated stage. Extending from the stage will be two 30-foot bars and a seating area.
Of course, Braxton Brewing Company beer will be available in abundance. Their authentic Oktoberfest beer, Oktober Fuel, will be on tap alongside core styles and seasonal beers. Througout Oktoberfest Zinzinnati weekend, they will also host timed tappings of new beers from Braxton Labs, their recently opened Newport, Kentucky innovation facility.
Braxton Fass Morder
Every time a keg blows at the Braxton Fass Bar, bartenders will create a chaotic scene with whistles, flags and a Braxton Fass bar toast. If you’re the person who ordered the keg-blowing beer, you receive an official “Braxton Fass Morder” T-shirt!
Braxton Brewing Company will offer many specialty beers at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, including Graeter’s Blueberry Pie Brown Ale with proceeds benefitting The Cure Starts Now. To eliminate cancer as a whole, The Cure Starts Now funds research through collaboration, transparency, and the elimination of duplication while cultivating innovation for the homerun cure.
Oktoberfest Fun Facts (click to enlarge)
Braxton Brewing Company/Greater’s Mystery Ice Cream
As part of Braxton’s large presence at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the brewing company will introduce a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Cincinnati’s Graeter’s Ice Cream. The new Graeter’s flavor, which has yet to been unveiled to the public, will remain a mystery until the unveiling, Friday, September 15, 5 p.m. at the Braxton Brewing Co.’s booth at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.
It will also be available for purchase, beginning October 1, at all Graeter’s scoop shops and on Graeter’s online store.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati at FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati will be celebrating Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. The first 5,000 FC Cincinnati fans through the gates at the September 16 Nippert Stadium match will receive a pair of official Oktoberfest Zinzinnati pretzel glasses. Get tickets now at FCCincinnati.com
OKTOBERFEST ZINZINNATI FAVORITES
Cincinnati Reds Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Ticket Package
The Reds play three games over Oktoberfest Zinzinnati weekend. For as little as $20, you will receive:
- One ticket to a Cincinnati Reds game during Oktoberfest Zinzinnati weekend.
- One commemorative Cincinnati Reds/Oktoberfest Zinzinnati mug.
- Your first drink or beer at the Cincinnati Reds game.
- Your first drink or beer at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.
To get the Cincinnati Reds Oktoberfest Zinzinnati ticket package, go to Reds.com/Oktoberfest
Tenth Annual Running of the Wieners
100 wiener dogs will enter. Each dachshund, outfitted in its provided hot dog bun costume, will run in a 75-foot heat, Friday, September 15 at 11 a.m. on Race Street between Second and Third Streets. The wiener of the finals will be crowned top dog at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati! Additionally, enjoy a hot dog or an after-wiener drink at the Herr of the Dog Party Zone at Third and Race Streets.
G-Games
Teams of Zinzinnati TV celebrities will compete in the Gemuetlichkeit (goodwill) Games—including the Beer Stein Race and Beer Barrel Roll, Friday, September 15, noon at Third and Race Streets.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Opening Ceremonies
Sam Adams founder and Cincinnati native, Jim Koch will tap the ceremonial “first keg,” Saturday, September 16, 11:30 a.m. on Sam Adams Main Stage, Second and Elm. In addition, September 16 will be recognized as Mick Noll Day in the City of Cincinnati, in memory of Mr. Oktober, Mick Noll. Mr. Noll and his restaurants were part of every Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, including the 40th anniversary, last year. Mick passed away in November of 2016.
Samuel Adams Stein Hoisting
The 2017 Samuel Adams Stein Hoisting Competition returns to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati with Sports Illustrated as a partner. Saturday, September 16 at 5 p.m. on the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Main Stage, contestants will hold a one-liter stein, arm straight out, filled to the brim with Sam Adams Octoberfest beer. The last contestant standing, elbow locked and holding a full stein, wins the contest!
The top five male and female Stein Hoisting times nationally will win a trip for two to compete in the finals in Boston on October 27th. The male and female winners of that final hoist will each win a trip for two to the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Gala.
World Brat Eating Championship
World eating champion, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut will return to defend his Oktoberfest Zinzinnati title. He holds the world brat eating record (70 brats in 10 minutes at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, 2013). Sunday, September 17, 2 p.m. at the Braxton Fass Bar, Third and Walnut Streets.
World’s Largest Chicken Dance
Thousands of chicken dancers have congregated every year since 1994 when Zinzinnatians set the Guinness World Record as the largest Chicken Dance in zee world! Others who have led the World’s Largest Chicken Dance include:
Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
