Bavarian traditions meet Pacific Northwest charm during nine days of food, music, local businesses, family activities, and plenty of reasons to explore Kenmore.
You don't have to travel all the way to Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest this year. From September 12–20, Kenmore is bringing a little Bavarian spirit to the shores of Lake Washington for the third annual Kenmore Oktoberfest.
What I love about this event is that it isn't confined to one venue or one afternoon. The celebration takes place throughout the city for more than a week, giving you plenty of opportunities to join in. More than 3,000 people are expected to participate, with local businesses, nonprofits, residents, the City of Kenmore, and the Bothell Kenmore Chamber of Commerce all playing a role in bringing it together.
The festivities kick off with the Fly Away 5K and 10K, where runners and walkers take over a scenic stretch of the Burke-Gilman Trail. Kenmore Air is also hosting a free Family Fun Day complete with discounted seaplane flights, a balsa wood glider competition for kids, outdoor games, food, and a performance from the Inglemoor High School band.
As the week continues, things get even more festive. There will be Bavarian sing-alongs, a ceremonial firkin tapping, live music, the Pop!More Kenmore Market filled with local makers and artisans, and a Bavarian-style beer garden at Copperworks Distilling featuring local beer, food, cocktails, wine, mocktails, and plenty of Oktoberfest spirit.
And then there are the Wiener Dog Races! Watching a group of tiny-legged dogs attempt to sprint their way toward victory might be reason enough to go. The annual races return September 19 and promise exactly the kind of adorable chaos you would expect. Some dogs may race directly toward the finish line. Others may decide greeting the crowd is more important. Either way, everyone wins!
There is also an Oktoberfest Passport that runs through October 31, encouraging visitors to explore participating Kenmore businesses for specials, discounts, and stamps along the way. It's a fun addition, but more importantly, it keeps the celebration connected to the local businesses that help give Kenmore its personality.
That's really what makes an event like this so much fun. You can come for the beer, the brats, the music, or the dachshunds, but you're also spending a day discovering local businesses and enjoying the community around you. So grab your friends, bring the family, practice your best Prost! and make your way to Kenmore. This might just become one of your new favorite ways to welcome fall.
