Panama City Beach Oktoberfest spills over 2 days

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Celebrate a German tradition with a beach backdrop on Friday and Saturday when the Panama City Beach Oktoberfest takes over Aaron Bessant Park.

"It is a perfect fit for this time of year," said Jayna Leach, Vice President of Marketing for Visit Panama City Beach, which is providing support for the inaugural event. "Oktoberfest happens nationally and all over the world, and it just so happened we had that weekend open."

Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday, with the Official Tapping of the Keg at 6 p.m. The celebration continues till 11 p.m. Friday and resumes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Stein Hoisting Competitions are set for 7 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Bavarian transformation includes a beer garden that overflows from the 150-foot by 50-foot tent, which is decorated with a traditional German motif to replicate the Oktoberfest tent in Munich, Germany.

"We're happy if 500 show up but we're ready for 3,000 as well," said Grant Wittstruck, Panama City Beach Oktoberfest marketing director. "We certainly have enough beer for everyone and food. Come hungry and come thirsty; be ready for a good time."

Breweries will each offer one or two selections. Nivol Brewing, which celebrates its one-year anniversary at 483 R. Jackson Blvd. on Nov. 11, has made a Honey Dunkel with local honey just for the Panama City Beach Oktoberfest. Other local breweries Grayton Beer Company and Oyster City will have lighter beers. German-based breweries Hofbrauhaus Munchen and Erdinger Weissbrau also will be on tap with traditional offerings.

Pair your stein with giant pretzels with beer-infused cheese, Bratwurst, meterwurst or hot dogs — even topped with sauerkraut.

The family-friendly event also will feature traditional polka bands as well as live music from Heritage.

"Everyone's pretty excited about Heritage, not a German band but a local favorite," Wittstruck said.

Headliner Euro Express of Chicago and the Darrell and Beatrice Band, regular performers at Hofbrau in Pier Park, will play on stage Friday and Saturday. Heritage will perform shows at 4:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday.

Activities include face painting, a Kids Bounce and Slide Zone with eight bounce houses, Kids Construction Zone, games such as corn hole, arts and craft vendors, and a photo GIF booth from Epic Photo Co. with German-themed props.

Ages 12 and younger are free with a paid adult. Tickets start at $9.99 for the 1 Day Family General Admission Pass, or the 2 Day Family for $19.99. Each family ticket provides one person entrance to enjoy the festival.

"We named them 'family' because there is no alcohol involved, but they are only good for one person. All other tickets include beer and steins," said Wittstruck, who added guests must be 21 and older to purchase the Beer Garden, Bavarian and Munich tickets.

The 2 Day Beer Garden General Admission, $29.99, includes a souvenir beer stein and the first German beer free. The 1 Day Bavarian VIP Pass, $69.99, and the 2 Day Munich Super VIP Pass, $109.99, includes VIP seating next to the stage, a bottomless commemorative beer stein, and a souvenir Oktoberfest T-shirt. All VIP steins include the Panama City Beach Oktoberfest logo, but VIP pass holders may choose one of the other steins as well.

General admission tickets and VIP passes for Panama City Beach Oktoberfest are available at www.pcboktoberfest.com, or tickets may be bought on site with cash or credit.

Any ticket holder who is 21 and older, including those with a family ticket, can purchase beer at the festival with tokens. Tokens are $2 each. A 16-ounce beer costs three tokens and a full liter is five tokens.

"Right after you check in, you can't miss the big token booth," Wittstruck said. "It's so when you go up to get a beer, they're not having to make change. The idea is to keep people moving."

After this weekend's Oktoberfest in Panama City Beach, keep the Bavarian spirit going with the Panama City Oktoberfest in downtown Panama City, which was rescheduled from Oct. 7 to Oct. 21.

What: German celebration with beer, food, music and family activities; sponsored by Visit Panama City Beach

When: 4-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14

Where: Aaron Bessant Park, 600 S. Pier Park Drive, Panama City Beach

Tickets: 1 Day Family General Admission for $9.99 or 2 Day for $19.99; 2 Day Beer Garden General Admission $29.99; 1 Day Bavarian VIP Pass, $69.99; 2 Day Munich Super VIP Pass for $109.99; available at PCBOktoberfest.com; tickets may be bought on site with cash or credit

Details: PCBOktoberfest.com

PANAMA CITY BEACH OKTOBERFEST