Preserve Oktoberfest Tradition by Feasting on Your Favorites In Carlsbad this Month

Every year, Carlsbad hosts a festival celebrating one of Germany’s favorite fall celebrations. Oktoberfest is known around the world for good beer, great food, and fun. Festive music, lederhosen and dirndl, stein holding competitions, and yodeling are just a few of the things that make Oktoberfest unique. It was originally a celebration of the crown prince of Bavaria but the festivities quickly expanded beyond the eventual King’s nuptials. The two-week period from the end of September to the first Sunday in October is now observed in countries around the globe. In North County, the Carlsbad Rotary Clubs have established over 30 years of German food, beer, live music and entertainment at the Carlsbad Oktoberfest. The fall tradition typically attracts thousands of people and has a line up of great music, fun activities, family friendly games, and all of the German beer and authentic German food you can dream of. Past years have paired the costume contest and fair rides of the Fall Family Fun Festival with the classic Oktoberfest traditions of the Chicken Dance, bratwurst, and Bavarian beer. This year, the 2020 version of Carlsbad’s Oktoberfest and Family Fall Festival is still on the calendar but it has a bit of a twist. While the pandemic won’t allow us to celebrate Oktoberfest with a crowd of like-minded beer drinkers and family games, the tradition will go on. Instead of a weekend festival, this year’s celebration will last all month. Oktober-feast is 2020’s version of Oktoberfest, and it supports local restaurants in and around Carlsbad.

Carlsbad Oktoberfest 2020 is Oktober-feast

This year, restaurants have taken a hit. Eating in large groups has been prohibited and outdoor dining with social distancing has forced restaurants to overcome many different challenges in order to stay open. Oktober-feast is giving Carlsbad a reason to celebrate all of the restaurants who have been working hard to keep afloat throughout the year. With new safety measures in place, restaurants have adapted to the restrictions of the pandemic and reimagined ways to serve the community. This year’s modified 38th Annual Oktoberfest will celebrate the resilience of our community by holding its event in restaurants throughout the city during the month of October.

October 1st through the 31st, Carlsbad residents and visitors can enjoy discounted meals at a long list of the city’s favorite eateries. Sponsors such as Anheuser Busch, Rowan Electric, the GHT Companies, and Spaten Oktoberfest have joined forces to allow vendors to offer discounted cuisine to Oktober-feast participants. If you’d like to take part in this year’s event, all you have to do is go online and download the ticket. The Oktober-feast coupon gives ticket holders 15% off at participating restaurants. Senor Grubbys, Gregorio’s Italian Restaurant, Tommy V’s, Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant, Tin Leaf Kitchen, The Landings, Vigilucci’s Seafood & Steakhouse, and Vigilucci’s Cucina Italiana are all on the roster of Oktober-feast participants. Whether it’s a Pepe combination plate from Garcia’s or a hand carved Santa Maria Tri tip sandwich from Tin Leaf Kitchen, the Oktoberfeast coupon is good for food purchases at any of these restaurants throughout the month of October. If you’d like to preserve the German tradition of Oktoberfest, the Oktober-feast coupon is also good for a full German meal at Tip Top Meats for only $9.98.

The whole world is adapting to COVID-19 and whether you’re used to saying cheers in a German festhalle or with friends and family under the California sun, things will look a little different this year. After the pandemic started, officials weighed the options and knew that a full cancellation was never in the cards. Instead, the Oktober-feast alternative will be a celebration of community that won’t soon be forgotten. The modified event is dedicated to the memory of David Kulchin. David has been the Rotary Club’s Oktoberfest sponsorship director for the past 25 years. He passed away in July but his dedication to the event will last for years to come. In his 25 years, he raised over $675,000 for Carlsbad charities and community organizations. This year’s event will provide a unique opportunity to promote business and drive patrons to local restaurants that have experienced hardships during the pandemic. Support the community during this year’s Oktober-feast and look forward to the return of Oktoberfest with pretzels, beer, fun, and food in 2021.  For more information on Oktober-feast go to Oktober-Feast.com or you can reach out to Vince Ponce at beachfamily6@hotmail.com.