Coming off a very successful Irish Festival at RiverWorks, the only natural thing to do was to prepare for an Oktoberfest at the same venue. After all, it’s hard to beat the RiverWorks formula – tons of indoor and outdoor space, built-in bars and food operations, a giant stage and LCD screen, sound and lighting… the works… on the river.
“Buffalo has a very proud German tradition and this event is designed to celebrate the people, the culture, and the food and drink that many German immigrants brought to the Western New York area years ago,” says Kevin Townsell, Oktoberfest organizer. “We know that proud tradition continues and we are pleased to be able host this event to celebrate that heritage.”
Oktoberfests are heating up in Buffalo, just as Irish festivals and parades have been all the rage for years. I suppose that with the onslaught of breweries, and the availability of more and more venues along the water, the progression towards becoming a city with a German flare was only natural (we always have been actually, but once again we’re touting it).
Also, we must remember that Townsell is the man who is intending to open a Hofbräuhaus in Buffalo (see here), which means that it’s befitting that he is undertaking the Oktoberfest event at RiverWorks. According to Townsell, Hofbräuhaus of Buffalo is slated to open in early 2017 near Canalside.
Beers: Buffalo-brewed Oktoberfest and Harvest beers from Big Ditch Brewing, Ellicottville Brewing, Four Mile Brewing, Community Beer Works, Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, Gordon Biersch, Pan American Grill & Brewery, Woodcock Brewery and others. Guest breweries include North American Brewing, Magic Hat Brewing and Hofbrau of Munich, Germany. Beers will be available in pint and half-pints.
Featured food: Locally made German sausage will also be featured
Music: Live, authentic Oktoberfest music will begin at 2 pm with the Auslanders until 5 pm, followed by the Frankfurters at 7 pm until 10 pm.
The Inaugural Buffalo Oktoberfest @ RiverWorks | Saturday, October 3, 2015 | 359 Ganson Street near the giant Labatt Blue “six pack” on the Buffalo River | Doors will open at noon | Ends at 10pm
Admission is $15 at the door and pre-sale tickets are available for $10 at all Consumers Beverages locations and at Showclix.com. For more information go to www.BuffaloRiverWorks.com