Where to get your oompa on for Oktoberfest in Southeast Minnesota
Sep. 25—ROCHESTER — Emulating the centuries-old German tradition, Oktoberfest celebrations large and small mark the beginning of Autumn through the first Sunday in October.
Southeast Minnesota breweries are holding their own observances of the tradition with special beer releases, contests and entertainment Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.
Start the day at LTS Brewing Co. where that brewery is hosting a Breakfast and Beers event Saturday. People can get a pour of beer and a breakfast pizza as well as getting chances at discounted brewery merchandise.
LTS Breakfast and Beer
When: Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30.
Where: LTS Brewing Co., 2001 32nd Ave. NW.
ROCHESTER — How many umlauts are there in the word umlaut? Do you know what an umlaut is? If so, you may have a leg up on the competition for an Oktoberfest German spelling bee at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at Forager Brewery.
That's followed by a keg rolling contest, German trivia and a pretzel eating contest. People can sign up for as many events as they want for a daylong Oktoberfest celebration. Beltbuckles perform at 2 p.m. and Fred the Bear plays at 7 p.m.
Oktoberfest at Forager Brewery
When: 1-10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30.
Where: Forager Brewery, 1005 Sixth St. NW.
ROCHESTER — Get out the studded lederhosen. Thesis Beer Project and Treedome Productions present the third annual Punktoberfest with two days of live music Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30.
Entry is free and all ages are welcome to enjoy the music.
Punktoberfest
Friday, Sept. 29: 7 p.m., Matt Kounniyom; 8 p.m., Super Hecking Valid; 9:15 p.m., Night Dangers; 10:30 p.m., Birdcop.
Saturday, Sept. 30: 7 p.m., Never Wreck; 8 p.m., The Reach Outs; 9:15 p.m., Comatose; 10:30 p.m., MURF.
KASSON, Minn. — Chaotic Good Brewing Co. in Kasson, Minnesota is hosting its first Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, Sept. 30.
The fun will be accompanied by the Oompah Grandpa, a polka DJ who will keep the ambiance on theme from 1-8 p.m. Stein holding contests will be held at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. At 8 p.m., the brewery hosts a fantasy-themed costume contest the brewery is calling Octoberfest.
Inaugural Oktoberfest at Chaotic Good Brewing
When: 1-8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30.
Where: Chaotic Good Brewing Co., 202 Second St. SW, Kasson, Minnesota.
FOUNTAIN, Minn. — Karst Brewing Co. in Fountain, Minnesota, is hosting a live accordion player and an outfit contest. Test your stamina with a stein holding contest at 3 p.m.
Reubens & Things Tips & Tails will serve brats and pretzels for what will be a classic celebration. Speaking of classic, Paul Schmidt will be there playing a 1970s music tribute from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Oktoberfest at Karst
When: 1-8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30.
Where: Karst Brewing Co., 315 First St., Fountain, Minnesota.
WABASHA, Minn. — The annual family-friendly celebration of SeptOberfest returns to Wabasha and Kellogg, Minnesota. This weekend is filled with games, train rides and other kids activities will be held at Heritage Park in Wabasha beginning at 11 a.m.
The multi-day event runs through Oct. 22, and a full calendar of events can be found at
ROCHESTER — RNeighbors will host the annual Chalk the Block at Graham Park. People are welcome to watch the artists in action from 9:30 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. Awards for the artists will be presented at 2 p.m.
The event builds a sense of community through art, poetry and music. DJ Ladie P will provide tunes. The event is co-hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness serving Southeast Minnesota.
Chalk the Block
When: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30.
Where: Graham Park, 1570 Fairgrounds Ave. SE.
LAKE CITY, Minn. — Get ready for an apple good time in Lake City with the annual autumn festival, Johnny Appleseed Days on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
Celebrate the apple harvest and the region's wonderful creative community with two days of of live music; beverages; dozens of art, craft, and up-cycle vendors; food trucks; a petting zoo; and much more. New to 2023 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday is the inaugural Beer and Cider Fest to celebrate the autumn harvest. Dozens of cideries and breweries will bring their apple beverages. Tickets are required for this event, so visit
to get yours.
Sunday will be highlighted by Kid's Day Out, which features friendly farm animals at the FFA petting zoo. There's also an old-fashioned pie eating contest at 2 p.m. and live music for dancing in the streets as well as a nearby Fun Zone for kids.
Get all the details at
WINONA, Minn. — "Mitakuye Oyasin" means "All our relations."
That's the message and the theme for the Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance powwow that begins with a blessing of the grounds on Friday, Sept. 29, and two full days of activities Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1 at Unity Park on the east side of Lake Winona. Saturday's events include a talk circle at 10 a.m., the Grand Entry, including traditional dancing, at 1 p.m., and the Evening Unity Feast beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday's main event is a Remembering Our Loved Ones ceremony led by Suzanne Nash from the Indigenous Peoples Task Force.
The wacipi (powwow) will include Native American vendors selling arts, crafts, jewelry, books and food. Meanwhile, the Learning Tent will feature Native American artists and scholars who provide visitors the opportunity to see and learn about important aspects of Indigenous native life through demonstrations and displays in a mirror of the true form "Indian Education", which is to educate as needed and within a specific context, to make sense and be meaningful.
Learn more about the event at
winonadakotaunityalliance.org/gathering
.
WINONA, Minn. — The Polish Museum of Winona, Minnesota, will host Smaczne Jabłka Apple Fest from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1.
The museum is located on Second Street between Chestnut and Kansas streets in Winona.
The fall festival celebrates the local Polish and Kashubian culture and history of Winona, and is a major fundraiser for the museum. There will be food trucks, Polish beer and Jazz music on Saturday. Sunday's event will feature folk dancers, Polish cuisine, apple treats and ice cream, music, games, and other fun activities.
