Practice your keg tossing and seize your stein — the County’s Oktoberfest is returning to Caribou.
The fifth annual German-themed brew festival, presented by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, is slated from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Caribou Municipal Airport.
Beer and wine crafters from Aroostook County, central Maine and as far away as Virginia will showcase their products. From its start several years ago with a couple of local breweries, the event has continually expanded its scope. This year, seven beverage makers, three local food trucks and live music are on tap.
The airport with its large hangar suits the event well, Chamber Executive Assistant Samatha Doak said.
“It worked out really well last year,” she said. “It’s a great location, and the hangar has a lot of space to be able to have all the vendors right there.”
For a fee of $40 in advance or $45 at the door, visitors will receive a tasting glass and can sample any beverages they choose.
Aroostook County’s First Mile Brewing Company of Fort Kent and Northern Maine Brewing of Caribou are festival regulars. Joining them will be Orono Brewing Company, Geaghan Brothers Brewing Company of Bangor and Mason’s Brewing of Brewer.
Those who like something other than beer will find something to enjoy, too.
“We’re going to have a couple of sweet wines and seltzers,” Doak said.
(File: Paula Brewer | The County)
Heart of Maine Winery of Lincoln and Chester Gap Cellars of Front Royal, Virginia, joined the festival for the first time in 2024. Both will return this year.
Three different local food trucks will set up at the event: Mimi’s Smash Burgers of Presque Isle, J&R Barbecue of Mapleton and It’s Pretty Cheesy of Caribou.
Besides food and drink, visitors can join in the Oktoberfest-themed fun by donning lederhosen, dirndl skirts and feather hats. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.
The athletically minded can sign up for the keg toss, where contestants have two tries to toss an empty keg to see who can throw the farthest. Then there’s the stein holding competition, where the deceptively simple looking task of holding two filled steins becomes a test for the arm muscles.
(File: Paula Brewer | The County)
Local band Common Crossing and deejay Cory Tilley will provide musical entertainment for the day.
As they do each New Year’s Eve, staff from Beaulieu’s Garage will offer rides home for people who feel they’ve consumed too much to drive safely.
For details, visit the chamber’s website or The County’s Oktoberfest on Facebook.
