New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Drinking, singing, dancing and fun at the 2013 N.B. Oktoberfest!
While we always lament the passing of summer (well, most of us do anyways), the fall season certainly has it perks. Fall brings us football, Halloween, and beautiful foliage t name a few. For beer lovers, this is peak season for the best brews of the year, and to celebrate that we have the New Bedford Oktoberfest.
The New Bedford Oktoberfest will be kicking off its 8th year of drinking brews and dancing to tunes on Saturday, October 5th at 3:00 p.m. and continues until midnight. This year the fest will be taking place at the New Bedford Ferry Terminal Building, aka 49 State Pier.
Oktoberfest is not only a great time to try out some unique beers with your friends, it is also a fundraiser organized by the South Coast Business Alliance (SCBA). This year, a portion of proceeds will go to the SCBA UMass Dartmouth Alumni Fund. In years past, Oktoberfest has raised proceeds for numerous local organizations including the New Bedford Boys and Girls Club, Gifts to Give, Smiles, the Children’s Advocacy Center for Bristol County, and many others. Since the SCBA was founded 9 years ago, they have raised over $250,000.
What makes Oktoberfest a dream for beer lovers is the selection of seasonal brews. Everyone who can consider themselves a beer connoisseur knows that this is the best time of year when it comes to pumpkin ales, hard ciders and fall time favorites. This year, the NB Oktoberfest will be featuring Buzzards Bay, Mayflower, Cisco, Pretty Things, Sam Adam’s, Wachusett, Foolproof, Left Hand, Berkley Beer, Cambridge Brewing, Southern Tier, Woodstock Brewery and Smuttynose.
8th Annual Oktoberfest, October 5th-6th
In addition to beer, there will be food sold by food trucks Rocket Street Food, and Cool Licks Concessions, No Problemo, and Dee Dee’s Delights. Rocket Street Food is more than your typical food truck- it provides “fine street food” with items like the PV Farm Stand Boar Sausage Slider or any of their mouth watering angus beef burgers. Cool Licks concessions will be selling festival favorites to attendees, such as hot dogs and cacoila. Of course, we all know No Problemo, but have you ever tried their Oktoberfest bratwurst queso called ‘Wust Ques’? And if you have a sweet tooth, Dee Dee’s Delights will have her ¼ pound cookies for sale.
Of course, no Oktoberfest would be complete without music, and I don’t mean of the accordion variety. DJ Tom Cooney will be DJing all night and local music favorite Craig Demelo “The Whiskey Poet” and his band will be opening up the night’s performances at 6 PM.
Providence-based band “The Tower and the Fool” will take the stage after Craig Demelo’s set ends. Often heard on WBRU, this indie-rock band released a CD called “How Long” this year and they have performed nationally and at music events such as WBRU’s Summer Series and Warped Tour.
The headlining performance of the night will be the Felix Brown Band. The Felix Brown Band has played throughout the Northeast and beyond, bringing a fusion style of music that blends elements of rock, blues, r&b, jazz and funk. They bring their unique sound to many popular songs, ranging from Eric Clapton to 50 Cent.
In addition to the musical entertainment, this year’s Oktoberfest will feature a mechanical bull and a beer pong tournament!
In summation, all in attendance at the NB Oktoberfest can expect a night of good food, great drinks and ample entertainment. Tickets can be purchased for $15 online by going to: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/8005283017/efbbt. You can also buy your tickets in advance at Rose Alley, Mirasol’s and No Problemo. Tickets are $20 dollars at the door.
