It's Oktoberfest season in Zinzinnati

The Tri-State loves a good festival — especially a German one. Oktoberfest season begins in late August and runs through Oct. 1 this year. The region's largest such festival, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, is Sept. 14 - 17, 2023. It's billed as America's largest Oktoberfest.

After several years on Second and Third streets, the festival is back on Fifth St. this year, reaching from Main St. to Sentinel.

"Second and Third streets served us well over the years, but we can activate some of the spaces within Fifth Street a little bit more uniquely," says Marketing Manager Brad Mason. "You'll find some places where there's little nooks and crannies (where) you can go experience different things."

Event organizers estimate some 700,000 people attend each year, consuming 87,542 metts, 64,000 sauerkraut balls, 80,500 bratwurst, and lots and lots of bier. New this year is a family friendly area; it can be found in the Snyder's of Hanover sponsored tent.

"At a lot of events like this you have places where it just doesn't seem like kids have an area to go, so we're happy to partner with them to have a new area that has some games going on, and a little bit more of a fun and family-friendly environment," Mason says.

"We've got a new sports zone that's going to have a big LED board on it to watch all the sporting action over the weekend," Mason adds.