Prost! Spokane Oktoberfest is at CenterPlace all weekend

Even though we’re not in the homeland of Germany, Oktoberfest celebrations will live on all weekend long at CenterPlace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley. The fifth-annual Spokane Oktoberfest will feature all things Bavarian with food and beverages (Paulaner and brats), entertainment, two stages, indoor and outdoor events and games and free parking.

The music lineup of Spokane Oktoberfest includes bands from Spokane, Seattle, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Vancouver, British Columbia. They are S-Bahn, Leavenworth headliners who are performing at Spokane Oktoberfest for the first time; Hazelnuss “Das” Music from L.A.; Alpen Band from Sacramento; the Pacific Northwest’s Bavarian Beer Garden Band, who advertise themselves as “not your grandpa’s polka band; and the German-American Society’s Concordia Choir of Spokane.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating Oktoberfest this weekend in Spokane Valley with amazing Bavarian music, two festhalles, games, kid’s activities, wiener dog races and German-inspired food from Adam Hegsted,” said Karen Stebbins of Vision Marketing and Spokane Oktoberfest.

“There is something for everyone - brats, live music, games and bier. What more could you ask for when celebrating Oktoberfest? Other than a heated tent, which we will have to keep you toasty this weekend in our outdoor festhalle when doing the chicken dance!”

Other things to expect at Spokane Oktoberfest: all-ages fun; family-style seating; tents (Spokane Oktoberfest happens rain or shine); tapping of the keg by Spokane Valley Mayor Rod Higgins on Friday afternoon; Millwood Brewing Co., Mountain Lakes Brewing, Steam Plant and more; quaffing contests; wiener dog races at 3 p.m. Sunday; games, including Nagelspielen (who can pound a nail the fastest), beer pong, corn hole, bocce ball and holey boards; and kids shows at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Spokane Oktoberfest also includes a designated-driver program that will provide free non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers. A portion of proceeds from Spokane Oktoberfest will go to Wishing Star Foundation. Wishing Star grants wishes to children ages 3-21 with life-threatening illnesses who live in Spokane, the Tri-Cities and outlying areas.

Spokane Oktoberfest is 4-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Daily adult admission is $10, and an all-event pass is $15. Bonus: Sunday is Family Day, so admission is discounted to $5, and children ages 12 and younger are free. Spokane Oktoberfest becomes a 21 and older event starting at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information and tickets: spokaneoktoberfest.com.