Marion announces inaugural Oktoberfest

Aug. 2, 2022 6:00 am

Goose Island beer is poured into a glass during the 2017 Northside Oktoberfest in Iowa City. This September, Marion will host its inaugural Oktoberfest. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

MARION — The Marion Chamber will hold its first Oktoberfest this fall.

The event, planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 17 in Uptown Marion, will feature 25 craft breweries from Iowa and the surrounding region, offering samples along Seventh Avenue and City Square Park.

Each brewery will have a representative to educate fans on their beers as attendees enjoy live music and traditional German games, like a stein-holding contest and a hammerschlagen nail-driving competition, in between sips. The new festival is another example of the Marion Chamber's outreach efforts as the Seventh Avenue Streetscape project and Uptown revitalization efforts near completion.

“We are excited for this inaugural event bringing craft beer enthusiasts together,” said Jill Ackerman, Marion Chamber president. “Marion’s new Uptown festival-street area and restaurant scene make it a great environment for the festival.”

Tickets sales opened to the public Monday. General admission tickets, $40, include access to breweries starting at noon, a commemorative tasting glass, free water and participation in games at the Celebration Tent. For $50, VIP ticket holders can get early access to brewers at 11 a.m., in addition to limited offerings of merchandise and a premium Oktoberfest tasting glass.

All tickets are available online at EventBrite.com. Participants, who must be over 21, will have tickets and IDs scanned at the event entrance.

For more information go to marioncc.org or call (319) 377-6316.

Comments: (319) 398-8340; elijah.decious@thegazette.com