This week sees the return of Newry Oktoberfest where the beer will be flowing the music will be playing and a slice of German entertainment will return to Newry’s McClelland Park. The annual event kicks off on Thursday October 3 with the opening party that will follow the inaugural 5k run before the partying begins in earnest with enough authentic German food courtesy of Frank Whittens to keep revelers stocked up throughout the whole weekend.
The complete rundown of Newry Oktoberfest 2013 events are listed below.
Thursday October 3
Opening Party 7pm
The Oktoberfest Run takes place on the opening night with the race beginning at 7pm. Over 200 runners are expected to take part in the 5k run which starts and finishes at the Bavarian Beer Tent. The winners of the 5k run will then open the festival by pulling the first litre steins of the festival. Thursday night will see the St Catherine’s Concert Band playing some Oompah music and Cole Porter rocking the tent from 8pm along with plenty of party games with South Function DJs. The bar will be open until 10.30pm and there will be dancing from the Bavarian Belles.
Friday October 4
Finish Work Early (5pm)
Beer tent opens at 5pm with more Oompah music before local favourites Taxi take to the stage at 8pm.
Saturday October 5
Arguably the biggest day of the festival, there will be live music and fun and games all day, very much in keeping with the cheerful Bavarian spirit! Newry’s Oktoberfest rockers Hair ‘O’ The Dawg will be blasting out tunes from 8pm with a disco finishing up what is one of the most anticipated Saturday nights in the Newry social calendar.
Sunday October 6 (2pm)
Sadly every festival has to come to an end at some stage and this year’s Newry Oktoberfest will go out with a bang as the St Catherine’s Concert Band return to the stage after their hugely successful appearance on the closing day of last year’s festival. The will be playing a ion of specially arranged songs with a Bavarian twist followed by Rico’s Groove at 8pm to finish off the festival for the year.
All that remains is you – so get your lederhosen out and let Newry Oktoberfest put a smile on your face. If you were there last year you will know what to expect (just expect it even bigger and better this time around). If this is your first year then it is time to catch that Bavarian Bug – see you there!
Newry Reporter
25th September 2013
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