The countdown to Lee’s Summit Chamber’s Oktoberfest begins! Transport yourself to the heart of Munich with all the excitement of this wundervoll fall festival in Downtown Lee’s Summit.

This year’s Oktoberfest, presented by Pinnacle Bank, runs from 5–11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 and continues 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29. The carnival remains open from noon-4 p.m. Sunday for wristband day — $24 all you can ride! Enjoy German meals and dancing, home brew tasting, Kids Street, arts and crafts, Biergarten, carnival, continuous live entertainment, the Sam Adams Stein Hoisting Competition and much more.

Oktoberfest would not be complete without the excitement and entertainment in the Biergarten. The Biergarten is the place to hang out for food, music, dancing and a lot of crazy fun! The Schuhplattler Verein Blautaler of Kansas City leads the dances and pulls the audience into the fun. German meals, including pork schnitzel, sauerbraten, red cabbage and more, are served in the Biergarten from 5–9 p.m. Friday and 4–9 p.m. Saturday.

Two stages of entertainment run ongoing throughout the festival: the Main Stage sponsored by McCarthy Chevrolet and the Community Stage, sponsored by Cable Dahmer Kia. Headliners include Elton Dan and the Rocket Band, .38 Special Forces and more!

Visit LSoktoberfest.com for complete entertainment schedules.

Saddle up in the Biergarten from noon-3 p.m. Saturday for the People’s Choice Home Brew Tasting event and taste the refreshing creations of our local home brewers! Dozens of brewers will serve up samples of their best home brews while attendees vote on their favorites. Tickets cost $20 in advance and include a tasting glass for sampling as many beers as you can in three hours (home brews only). Register at LSoktoberfest.com.

Following the tasting event is the Sam Adams Stein Hoisting Competition, back for its third year. At 3 p.m., competitors will test their strength by hoisting a full liter stein at arm’s length without spilling. One male and one female will be crowned.

Back for another year is the Grape Stomp! Head to the Biergarten at 7 p.m. Friday to catch the action with emcee Codie Allen, 106.5 The Wolf. Participants will stomp grapes with their bare feet in a race to get the most juice. Winners will be crowned in the men’s and women’s rounds as “King & Queen of the Vineyard.”

Sports fan? Grab your friends and make sure to stop by the Sportzelt, sponsored by the Rob Ellerman Real Estate Sales Team and Prime Lending, a Plains capital company. With all of the big screen TVs, beer and brats you won’t miss a minute of the action.

Take your kiddos for a stroll down Kids Street, sponsored by Shining Light Music, for crafts, games, mini golf, a petting zoo and a whole lot more. What’s better? It’s all free! Pony rides also will be available for an additional cost. Also back by popular demand is the famous Rootbiergarten. Kids 12 and under can enjoy their own bubbly beverage at no cost, thanks to our sponsor Cross Creek at Lee’s Summit.

Think you’ve got the cutest kiddo around? Enter the Baby Contest, sponsored by The Goddard School, held at 11 a.m. Saturday on the Community Stage. Kids in different age groups will be eligible to show off how adorable they are and win prizes. Additional details and registration forms can be found at LSoktoberfest.com.

As always, the juried Arts and Crafts Fair features local and regional artists displaying unique handmade crafts, collectibles and original works of art. Vendors showcase their talents for the public to view and purchase.

So welcome one and all to the season of sizzling bratwursts and sounds of oom-pah! Grab your lederhosen and dirndl and head to Downtown Lee’s Summit Sept. 28-29, 2018. For more information, visit LSoktoberfest.com.