Hays CVB
The Hays Volga German Centennial Society, organizers of Oktoberfest Hays, have released the schedule of events for the 51st annual Volga German Oktoberfest. The event will take place on Friday, September 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 30 beginning after the Fort Hays State University Homecoming Parade until 6:00 p.m., in Municipal Park at 1st and Main Streets.
The free admission event will be full of German traditions and fun for the whole family, from food and drinks, to music, contests, dancing, kid-friendly activities, cornhole tournament, and more.
Many area non-profit organizations use the event as a fundraiser and sell signature German dishes like freshly grilled bratwurst, bierocks, and soups. The Hays Lions Club has been selling bierocks at Oktoberfest for over 20 years.
“We started with a tent years ago; then Warren Shaffer secured a trailer to keep us warm and dry, no matter the weather,” said Priscilla Hunt, Lions Club board member and former president.
“It’s a good chance for our members to engage in service for the community, and all of our profits benefit local organizations,” said Hunt.
The Hays Lions Club plans to sell 4,000 bierocks this year, along with herzen cookies.
NCK Tech will once again offer their drive-through food purchase options across from Municipal Park for easy pick up of bierocks (both fresh and frozen), green bean dumpling soup, bratwurst, and spitzbuben. Pick up will start at 10:00 a.m., Friday only, and will continue while supplies last. No pre-orders will be taken this year. All proceeds benefit NCK Tech Hays students.
Festival attendees will be able to purchase souvenir mugs, event T-shirts, and food and drink vouchers to be used in the park at the Oktoberfest Headquarters tent, run by the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Over 21” armbands will be available at the armband booths for $2 cash for those patrons 21 and over who plan to enjoy the beer selection.
New additions to the festival include “Oktoberfest on Tap,” sponsored by Wil Fischer Companies, that will feature six Oktoberfest draft beers, and a “Fest Market” with 10 booths for commercial vendors that will run 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
“We love the community traditions that this event has established in our community, and we are excited to offer some new activities that we think will make the event even better,” said Emily Knowles, long-time member of the Oktoberfest Hays event committee.
The mission of Oktoberfest Hays is to celebrate the rich German heritage of Ellis County while generating scholarship money for students of Volga German descent and fundraising for the preservation of Volga German churches in Ellis and Rush Counties.
The event committee would like to thank all local businesses and organizations who sponsor the two-day event. Without generous local support, this community event would not be possible.
For details and updates on the event, check the website at oktoberfesthays.com, the Oktoberfest Hays Facebook page @oktoberfesthays, or Instagram @oktoberfesthays.