La Mesa Oktoberfest returns with new family attractions
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Some dog races are for all breeds. Photo: Courtesy of Oktoberfest
Break out your dirndls and lederhosen because La Mesa's Oktoberfest is back this weekend.
The big picture: There are several new attractions this year, along with old favorites like music, Bavarian food and dog races.
What's new:
🌼 Maypole and flower crown making in an expanded kids area.
🎃 Pumpkin decorating in the free pumpkin patch.
🍺 The family-friendly beer garden on Palm Avenue will now be called Hop House and will offer German and local craft beers, food, mini golf, large-scale painting and kids' games, including rock tosses and musical chairs.
What else is there:
🎶 The largest beer garden will start with oompah bands on Saturday before shifting to cover and tribute bands later in the day.
🐔 Festivalgoers can join yodeling contests or race through a mini obstacle course on oversize bouncing chickens.
🎧 A smaller beer garden will offer craft beer and DJs in a more intimate setting.
🐶 Dachshund Village will feature their famous dog races. Some are even open to other breeds. Plus canine fashion shows, barking contests and a planking competition with stuffed-animal dogs.
Flashback: Oktoberfest used to be held like a traditional German festival, with a formal seated long table.
- "But it just felt like it didn't have the same energy that people would expect of something in San Diego," event spokesperson Jenna Thompson told Axios.
- Then it was just a biergarten, but finally they expanded to include spaces for families and kids.
By the numbers: Around 100,000 people are expected to attend.
If you go: The festival runs 4-10pm Friday, 10am-10pm Saturday and noon-8pm Sunday along La Mesa Boulevard.
- Admission is free and open to all ages.
- Biergarten entry costs $8 for guests 21 and older, while those under 21 enter free.
