Makenzi Johnson
When thinking about Oktoberfest, one usually imagines something that would not traditionally be a family friendly event for all ages. But what about an Oktoberfest that is hosted by a church? The Moorhead Presbyterian Church is hosting their second annual Sausage Fest on October 1, 2:30 to 8 p.m., and is as close to traditional Oktoberfest celebrations as one can get, but family-friendly.
German beers and wines can be enjoyed with various sausages and bratwursts while watching or participating in traditional German games like beer stein holding or hammerschlagen.
This traditional Oktoberfest event has things for all ages, adults and children alike!
The Oktoberfest event will offer traditional German beer and wine, sausages, specialty sides, games and more. Beer is coming from Swing Barrel Brewing Co. and the German wine from 99 Bottles, both in Moorhead. Two of the sausages offered are coming from NDSU’s Meat Science labs and some traditional sides like sauerkraut and spaetzle will be from Würst Bier Hall. The $20 adult ticket and $5 child ticket will get you and yours a sausage meal, sides and a pop, water or milk.
Traditional games such as nagelbalken (hammerschlagen), masskrugstemmen (stein holding contest) and a log sawing contest can be played by any adult—and observed by any aged individual. The kiddos can play the various lawn games and in the bouncy house as well. A farmers marketesque vendor area for Oktoberfestgoers to wander through will be there as well, selling things from pumpkins, craft items, bakery items, homemade preservatives and more. Music from two local bands, the Johnson 5 and the Meat Rabbits, will play periodically throughout the day.
Pastor Robert Drake said that while the church is hosting this event, no church-related things will be happening at Sausage Fest and all people, regardless of religious affiliation or lack thereof, are more than welcome to attend.
“I’m not going to be handing out any flyers that say, ‘worship with us at 10:30,’ there are no sermons, we won’t do any prayers or anything like that,” Drake said. “I won’t be wearing my traditional collar or anything, but I’ll be wearing lederhosen, looking like everyone else and walking around with a beer in my hand.”
Drake will still be there to answer any questions someone may have about the church, but the purpose of this event is to show a fun side of the church, to show that having fun can still happen on church property.
“What we’re trying to incorporate and expand on is that you can be faithful to God and still have good beer and food, sit outside on a picnic table and listen to rock’n’roll music,” Drake said. “You can have fun at church!”
Scan the QR code below to buy tickets for you and the whole family to enjoy a family-friendly Oktoberfest and head out to what Drake calls the “best place to wear lederhosen in the area.”
