Top of the bay Oktoberfest

Roll Out The Barrels…Oktoberfest Is Coming! You can bet on a great time for your family beginning Friday, October 18 at 5pm… as we tap the keg at Oktoberfest 2013 at Tampa Bay Downs! The Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce is betting on a great weekend of non-stop entertainment under the Big-top tent for the 18th Annual Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest – presented by Bright House Network, Tampa Bay Downs and Beck’s Oktoberfest Bier! Set for the weekend of October 18-20 at Tampa Bay Downs – to provide a bigger and better celebration with acres of FREE parking – Oktoberfest brings the best of Old Bavaria and new Florida together for three full days of authentic German food, drink, music and dancing ... along with a spectacular carnival & midway, a great arts & crafts show. Something for everyone at Oktoberfest Oldsmar and Upper Tampa Bay’s version of this German tradition is both the largest and the longest-running Oktoberfest in West Central Florida, attracting more than 20,000 people from 16 Florida counties and more distant locations. Some come for the music, the singing and dancing, others for the great German sausage, the Hofbrauhaus chicken, the great selection of beer vom Fass (straight from the tap) and Rhein wine. Teens love the thrill of the carnival and midway; the young ones can't wait to have their faces painted and dance the “Chicken Dance.” No matter your age, your interests or attitude, you're sure to find something to your liking at the Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest! Oom-Pah music to beat the band A trio of top-notch Oom-pah bands will entertain the troops at this year's event, beginning on Friday night with Europa. Orlando –based Europa is a perennial Oktoberfest favorite and tours nationally. Saturday morning we will feature one of the top German bands in the South ... Joe Oberaitus & Oktoberfest Express. Joe and the boys are one of the "house bands" at EPCOT's German Village at Walt Disney World. Finishing out the weekend we once again bring you the Alex Meixner Band. Alex also tours nationally and is a Grammy nominated musician and producer. Alex plays a host of instruments and watching him on the accordion and trumpet simultaneously is a real treat. He also features an Alpenhorn which is really a favorite of the kids. We can guarantee you that will not find a more energetic, lively and just plain fun band this side of Munchen! He plays an unbelievable mix of classic and contemporary Fest Musik and some original arrangements that will you leave clamoring for more! In another tradition, the Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest will feature performances by three different German folk dancing troupes ... including a group from little ‘ol Oldsmar! It’s your turn – get into the act! All weekend long, you're invited to get "into the act" by participating in one of the hourly contests on (and around) the Main Stage. Just sign-up for any of our events when we call the Macho Men and Fearless Frauleins to take part in our contests of strength, endurance and sheer determination. This includes: • Stein-Holding • Log Sawing • Keg Tossing • Barrel Rolling Oktoberfest hours are 5-11pm on Friday Oct. 18, 11am to 11pm on Saturday Oct. 19, and Noon-7pm on Sunday Oct. 20. For more information, call the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce at (813) 855-4233, or check out our website at www.utbChamber.com.