By Renee Larr
When fall rolls around it conjures up thoughts of falling leaves, pumpkins and polka music. Fishers Freedom Festival seeks to offer residents an authentic German Oktoberfest. The event takes place Sept. 23 and 24 at Witten Park.
The 11th annual event typically draws approximately 3,000 people, and it is a fundraiser for the Fishers Freedom Festival. The family friendly party offers something for everyone.
“It starts Friday evening at 5:30 p.m.,” said Jennifer Kehl, executive director of Fishers Freedom Festival. “We’re going to be playing polka music. We’ll have the beer garden and food, of course. Living Proof will play until 10:30 p.m. On Saturday we start at noon with food and beer all day. We have kids’ games from (noon) to 4pm. We’ll have arts and crafts vendors, too. Weather permitting, we’ll have the hot air balloon for balloon rides that will be $10. Living Proof will also play on Saturday night.”
In addition to traditional German fare from Papageorge’s, there will be pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs available. Guests will be able to purchase a variety of Oktoberfest beers from vendors such as Sun King. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the best dressed contest by wearing traditional German apparel.
Guests can peruse booths with many free activities.
“All the kids’ games are free. Some of the vendors are going to have prize wheels,” Kehl said. “We’ve got a couple of vendors that will do face painting and airbrush tattoos. We’ll probably have a balloon artist and some odds and ends games. The fire department, police department and the parks department will all have booths set up.”
There is no cost to get in to the event but guests are encouraged to bring canned goods to benefit local food pantries. No outside alcohol or coolers are permitted. For more, visit fishersfreedomfestival.org.