Guests take to the dance floor at the Reston Town Center Pavilion during Reston Oktoberfest 2011. Photo by Alex McVeigh.
The beer and wine will be flowing at Oktoberfest Reston produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, www.OktoberfestReston.com, the largest fall festival in Northern Virginia drawing crowds of up to 85,000 over three days. This event features the best in fall brews with traditional Oktoberfest fare from area restaurants.
Oktoberfest Reston
*When: Friday, Oct. 5, 3–11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. (Race begins at 8:30 a.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 7, Noon–8 p.m.
*Where: Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street, Reston,
*Entertainment:
Gonzo’s Nose—2U—Almost Journey
Kings Park German Band—Low’n’Brows German Band—The Continentals—Alpine Dancers
Beginning on Friday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m., restaurants and vendors will line the streets of the Reston Town Center. Live music will fill the air with traditional German tunes from the Low’n’Brows, Continentals and Kings Park German Bands as well as favorites such as headliners Gonzo’s Nose, 2U and Almost Journey. Kids won’t feel left out with the Oktoberfest Carnival open during event hours throughout the weekend and a special “All You Can Ride” wrist band time on Saturday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The Northern Virginia Police and Fire and Rescue Departments will face off on Saturday afternoon in the Guns ‘n Hoses Chili Cook-Off, with the winner to be announced at 4 p.m. The Great Pumpkin 5k, Pumpkin Smash Mile and Kids Pumpkin Dash, produced by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance and benefiting the YMCA Fairfax County Reston, kicks off Saturday’s events with an 8:30 a.m. 5k race start time. Oktoberfest Scrambled Legs Breakfast will help runners refuel with breakfast items and beer served up from specific Oktoberfest vendors.
Oktoberfest Reston event admission is free. Food tickets are $1 per ticket or $20 for 24 tickets. Carnival tickets are $1 per ticket or $20 for 24 tickets. All-you-can-ride carnival wristbands will be on sale for $20 ahead of the event and for $25 at the event; wristbands are good only for Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Advance tickets on sale online at www.OktoberfestReston.com or at the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, 1763 Fountain Drive, Reston.