To celebrate the heritage of all the Kyzers, Kinards, Rikards and other German descendants in Newberry, Oktoberfest kicks off Saturday and invites outside residents to see the city.
“Oktoberfest is a celebration of our German heritage and basically to let any and everybody know about Newberry,” said Ted Smith, promotions coordinator for the City of Newberry Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “We want people to discover Newberry.”
Official Oktoberfest culinary, musical and youth events kick off Saturday morning at 11 and lasts until 5 p.m.
A liver nips contest will open the culinary floor at 11:30 a.m. and leave the stove hot for chefs to afterwards prepare dishes in a TV-style format in front of Community Hall.
The chef's culinary stage is sponsored by The Cook's Station in Greenville and a wine tasting event, sponsored by Ben Arnold Wine and Spirits, will also be held at the culinary stage.
Local food vendors will also line Main Street and Memorial Square and offer local and German fare.
Musical events kick off on the main stage at 11 a.m. in Memorial Square, with the 3 Dot Polka Band, followed by Grand Illusion in the afternoon at 1 and Retro Vertigo at 3.
For kids, Oktoberfest will have amusement rides, a train, puppet shows and a petting zoo. Lowe's will host a kids craft area.
OTHER EVENTS
Even before the official Oktoberfest begins, folks can step into all things German Friday night at 8:15 at JezeBelles deli and coffee shop as the Wunder Weiner Sauerkraut Boys play a free polka concert.
Then Saturday morning an hour before the 3 Dot Polka Band takes the stage at 11, the Ritz theater opens to reintroduce the community to its local troupe, the Newberry Community Players; and the theater's many on and off-stage volunteer opportunities.
Books on Main will host a Festival of Authors book signing from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. where 12 authors are scheduled to read and sign books.
The Constant Gatherer Art Studio on Main Street will hold a studio open house and Oktoberfest sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gatherer artists Katie Runnels, Kirsten Lindsay and two Greenville guests will feature original watercolor paintings, handmade pottery pieces, pendant jewelry, vintage furniture, soaps and holiday pieces.
The events usually bring a good crowd to Newberry and this year should be no different, said Smith. Last year's event brought a crowd of around 12,000, and this year he expects more.
“We think it's going to be very large and even bigger than last year,” Smith said. “We have a great show planned and great entertainment. It's just going to be a great day and the weather forecast looks good.”
And as far as rumors that liver nip's edibility do not merit a full-fledged contest, Cheryl Starnes, director of Newberry County Chamber of Commerce that sponsors the contest, says otherwise.
“I absolutely love them,” Starnes said. “I would rather have them than steak.”
The liver nips contest winner gets $250 and the runner up wins $125.
Interested in entering the contest? Call the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce at 276-4274 for information.
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