Photo Credit: Wiki Media Commons
By Sofjola Bego | Fashion and Lifestyle Co-Editor–
Knit sweaters, orange leaves, and pumpkin spice. It’s officially autumn! These first days of brisk weather welcomed the festival which makes saying goodbye to Summer that much easier- The Newport International Oktoberfest. A decade-long tradition, Newport Waterfront Events hosted the weekend event, filled with seasonal brews, traditional Bavarian music and dance, arts and crafts vendors, and savory German cuisine. Meant to imitate Germany’s original Bavarian Oktoberfest, Newport put its own take on the festival with three tents of beer, food, and artistic vendors on a beautiful coastal venue near Bowen’s wharf.
This year, visitors enjoyed a variety of popular, seasonal brews including warm, caramel enriched Leinekugal Oktoberfest beer, and Shipyard Pumpkinhead beer. The festivities started with the symbolic Tapping of the Keg, where a special guest officially opened a keg, allowing the start of all brews to flow. While savoring the different tastes, visitors had a chance to compete in the Samuel Adams Stein Hoisting Event, where contestants held full liters of beer as long as physically possible. The competition had everyone bending over in laughter, as participants grunted through clenched-teeth and a goofy balance pose. The winner of the competition was awarded a free trip to Germany within the upcoming year.
Visitors were able to purchase a Prost! pass, a ticket granting exclusive all-day and night admission to an open-air private lounge with cocktail service, German hor d’oeurves, beer samplings, and an official Oktoberfest mug. Accompanied children were allowed into the private lounge, although Sunday was more of a family-friendly atmosphere. Saturday had a younger, active vibe, with a significant number of Rhode Island College students forming mile-long entry lines. Another year, another successful festival!
