5 quick things to know about this weekend’s 9th Annual Mecktoberfest at OMB

The weekend-long festival is a celebration of all things German, complete with live music, authentic food and, of course, plenty of beer.

“We are so excited to celebrate our ninth year of Mecktoberfest,” a spokesperson for the brewery told the Agenda. “Filling the largest Biergarten in the Southeast with the sound of live Bavarian music, the smell of fresh pretzels and roasting sausages, and the taste of pure, premium-quality beer creates an unparalleled experience.”

Over the years, it’s become such a tradition that over 6,500 have expressed interest in attending on Facebook. Attendees have been known to fly in from out of state to experience it.

Here’s what to know.

The 3-day celebration starts Friday at 11 a.m. in the Biergarten and includes traditional German food and music.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. all weekend and end at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sunday. Performances of traditional Bavarian music begin at the same time and run until 10 p.m. each night:

• Sauerkraut Band – 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Little German Band – 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Holzhackern Tyrolean Band – 7 p.m.-10 p.m.

Stay posted on each individual day’s activities here, here and here.

Drinking a Mecktoberfest Märzen Lager is a must.

Each of OMB’s year-round brews will be available, but you can’t leave without trying Mecktoberfest, the staple fall brew, which returned in late August.

The beer, rich, malty and in the style of the original Oktoberfest Bier, will be available on draft and in growlers, kegs and 6- and 12-packs through November.

Beer lines are always shorter at OMB’s indoor bars during events — large taproom bar, small taproom bar and the event room bar (wine is also available only inside). That said, all food is self-service outside.

The food selection is better than ever.

A larger menu than in years prior, items include OMB staples like the Bavarian Style Pretzel (with Düsseldorf Mustard or Copper Beer Cheese, $7.25) and seven German entrées, including Bratwurst ($8.25), Currywurst ($9.25) and Frikadellen (German-style meatballs, $11.25).

The food hut is currently being updated in order to create a better line flow as well.

A trip to Germany will be up for grabs.

The first 100 guests to visit the “Win a Trip to Germany” tent, located in the Biergarten, will be entered alongside anyone dressed in traditional Lederhosen or Dirndl. Here are the contest rules.

As always, children and pets are welcome.

The brewery is especially family-friendly throughout the year and this three-day celebration is no different. Pets on leashes, please.

The 9th Annual Mecktoberfest runs this Friday, September 21, through Sunday, September 23, at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (4150 Yancey Road). Connect with Olde Mecklenburg Brewery on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Photos courtesy of OMB.