Alderman Bob Bauman to Tap the First Keg at this Weekend’s Oktoberfest

Milwaukee, WI—Alderman Bob Bauman will assume the role of keg tapper at the opening ceremony of this weekend’s Oktoberfest in downtown Milwaukee.

The official keg tapping will take place at 4:30pm on Thursday, September 29^th at Pere Marquette Park. The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, The Old German Beer Hall, Westown Association, Sazama’s Fine Catering, OnMilwaukee.com and Milwaukee County Parks will team up for the third time to celebrate a Bavarian style Oktoberfest at both the Marcus Center Grounds and in Pere Marquette Park.

The tradition of having a local dignitary tap the keg dates back to the days when breweries were a ducal privilege and the beer they brewed was reserved for the court.  In the case of Oktoberfest, tradition holds that no beer may be served until the official keg has been tapped.  In keeping with this tradition, Alderman Bob Bauman will tap the first keg of this weekend’s celebration promptly at 4:30pm on Thursday, September 29^th in Pere Marquette Park. Milwaukee County Parks Director, John Dargle will also be in attendance.

Marking the final weekend of the original festival in Munich, The Original Milwaukee Oktoberfest celebration will be September 29^th– October 2^nd.  Hofbrau Festzelt at Pere Marquette Park will have a kick- off party on Thursday, September 29^th at 4:30 pm-11:00 pm and festivities will continue on Friday, September 30^th from 12:00 pm-11:00 pm, Saturday, October 1^st from 12:00 pm-11:00 pm and Sunday, October 2^nd from 12:00 pm-6:00 pm. The Marcus Center Grounds festivities will be held on Friday, September 30^th from 4:00 pm-11:00 pm, Saturday, October 1^st from 12:00 pm-11:00 pm and Sunday, October 2^nd from 10:00 am-6:00 pm.

An authentic festival tent and beer garden will be erected in Pere Marquette Park. Hofbräu Oktoberfest Beer, the original beer of King Ludwig’s Royal Brewery, will be featured, along with traditional Bavarian foods including giant fresh baked pretzels, bratwurst, wieners and Schnitzel.

The line -up for Pere Marquette includes Polka Kings, The Love Monkeys, Mike Schneider Band, Edelweiss, Austrian Express, Sigmund Snopek, Ed Wagner’s Brass Band, Polka Floyd, The Squeezettes and Blaskapelle Milwaukee.

Full dates and times of musical entertainment is available at: mkeoktoberfest.com.

All guests at Oktoberfest must be 21 or be accompanied by an adult. All guests over 21 will be issued a wristband.

For more information on the Oktoberfest event, to see a schedule of events and more, please visit the official website- MKEOktoberfest.com

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.