Oktoberfest has moved.
This weekend’s event, which kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday, will be held at Paper Mill Island. While the venue has changed, the festival continues to offer food, fun and entertainment. Event organizers are also continuing the 5K race, which was launched last year.
“Last year’s Baldwinsville’s Oktoberfest 5k was by all accounts a rousing success,” said Carlo Cuccaro, director of the race. “More than 125 runners finished the scenic course.”
Cuccaro said the race was added to the two-day festival in order to broaden the focus.
“Many people have very fond memories of the Oktoberfest of old which was much more of an adult targeted event. The current Oktoberfest has evolved into an event that features music, family events, craft beers, German food and now, the 5K race,” he said.
According to Cuccaro, several improvements were incorporated into this year’s race including a new course that eliminates the cemetery and Paper Mill Island.
“The cemetery and island were removed from the race course to allow for a larger running field and also because this year’s two-day Oktoberfest event is taking place on the Island,” he said. “The new course begins and ends at the corner of Canton and Tappan Streets, which allows runners to have a short walk to the Oktoberfest festivities on the island.”
New to this year’s race are several family oriented awards including fastest husband-wife, father-daughter, mother-son, brother-brother and many others. “We created this race with a focus on runners and families. These awards contribute to the overall ‘family-feel’ of our event,” Cuccaro said.
The course, which will be closed to traffic to ensure runner safety, is certified by the USA Track and Field Association and will be professionally timed by Auyer Timing.
Pre-registration is $15 on line at ezracereg.com and $20 for mail-in registration. There is a $5 discount for each family member that registers.
“For $15, you can run the event and you get an Oktoberfest Mug, free admission to the Oktoberfest event and after-race treats. Not to mention, you might win an award,” Cuccaro said. “In addition, all proceeds from the Oktoberfest and the race go directly back into the Baldwinsville community through the Food Pantry, Volunteer Center, student scholarships, and more.
For more information about the race, visit baldwinsvilleoktoberfest.com/pages/5k-run.
Baldwinsville’s Oktoberfest will be held from 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. In addition to a variety of food vendors and the kids’ activity tent, from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Ruby Shooz will perform and from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Kat Tale will perform. From 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning, there will be a complete breakfast buffet. Admission will be charged.
Erin Wisneski is the editor of the Baldwinsville Messenger. To contact her, email [email protected].
