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in which funds are used for general support for the various programs that we work on. This is the 4th year for the event which promotes sustainability and fun!! Want to volunteer?
Downtown Durango, Blocks 9-11
September 27 - 28, 2008; Saturday 11:00am - 6:00pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
See Schedule of Events at right, but mainly it's great fun for kids and adults. An overview of events is below, details at right. Common questions.
Check out our great sponsors!
Food providers will be offering organic and local food.
Great Brews and Music: Oktoberfest Pub Crawl
One pass allows you entry into 4 venues. Passes are available at Southwest Sound, Oktoberfest Festival and participating venues.
Bring your kids down for a jumpin’ good time in the Children’s Museum air castle. Get their faces painted and enjoy kid friendly crafts. Also be sure to ride the miniature Shetland Ponies.
Sponsored by Alpine Bank, Denton Signs, 99.7 FM The Point KPTE. Register and Win on September 29th at the Oktoberfest Festival.
Since the first Durango Oktoberfest in 2002, the party has gotten bigger and better every year. But as every host knows, a big party can leave behind a big mess. Last year, the 4000 visitors to Oktoberfest produced 2 Dumpsters (approximately 40 cubic yards) of garbage. This year, we want to do everything we can to reduce that amount, using several approaches:
- Boosting recycling of glass, plastic, and metal waste from festival participants and vendors. Thanks to 4corners composting and the City of Durango
- Providing refillable steins for beer drinkers who really want to get into the Bavarian spirit. These ceramic steins, can be used for both days of the festival and for years afterwards - they add a touch of “oompah” to any beer.
- Using composting corn cups for drinkers who don’t want to purchase a beer stein. After the festival, 4corners composting will compost these cups with the other organic waste from the festival. But we promise they won’t biodegrade until you finish your beer.
- Composting organic waste. According to several studies, about 50% of the garbage produced at special events can be composted. Instead of trucking this organic waste to the landfill, will use our food scraps to create nutrient-rich compost. (Compost = cabbages = sauerkraut.)
- The use of biodegradable trash bags.
Our region directly feels the impact of electrical generation. With two major coal-fired power plants just upwind (and another one potentially planned), it’s important for all of us to think about reducing our energy use. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we can’t have a good time…
The stage for this year’s event will be powered by solar energy generated on-site by the Renewable Energy Program at San Juan College.
- We will measure all of the other electricity used at the event and purchase renewable energy credits to offset our energy use. (These measurements will also provide a baseline that we can use to reduce our energy use in the future).
What would Oktoberfest be without beer and bratwurst? Although the idea of Oktoberfest comes all the way from Germany, we’re offering beer and brats from a lot closer to home. Using local products reduces the energy used to transport them, and helps our regional economy. And let’s face it, it just tastes better.
- Durango, “the Munich of Southwest Colorado”, is filled with purveyors of great beer. Oktoberfest will feature beer from four area breweries: Carvers, Durango Brewing, Ska, and Steamworks
- Breweries: All local breweries will be powered by 100% wind power
- Sunnyside Farms Market will provide local all-natural sausages and bicycle powered Turtle Lake Smoothies
SJCA has been involved in increasing alternative transportation by supporting Bike to Work Day over the past several years. We encourage all of the attendees to walk or ride down to the event. Besides it is safer that way!!
Through an inundation of bratwurst, bierz, apfels trudel, and yet more bierz, many of us have failed to seek the origin of this soon-to-be-historic Oktoberfest Festival in Durango, Colorado. We sought, and now know:
Nearly 200 years ago, on October 12th of the year 1810, a grand celebration of nuptials, beer consumption horse racing and generalized meadow frolicking commenced. Princess Therese was to be wed to the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, in a meadow near Munich. The meadow on which they were wed was named the “Theresienwiese” , in honor of the lovely and loaded princess. The wedding festivities continued for 5 days, celebrating this joyous family occasion, uniting two lovers.
To this day, Oktoberfest continues on the “Theresienwiese” and is celebrated all over the world. We are so proud to bring it to Durango, and hope to celebrate with you in the true old-fashioned origination of the ceremony. As Americans typically bastardize every cultural celebration, we will be doing so by introducing a mechanical bull, a bike cruiser giveaway, and some locally brewed delicious, but not-necessarily-German bier.
See the list at right.
How does it work and how much does it cost?
The event is broken up into two parts: daytime and evening
Daytime is free for the whole family to come, but leave your family pet at home, thanks!
Evening event is a Pub crawl and it costs $10.00 to get into 4 great local venues with some awesome music.
The entire event uses wooden nickels as our currency, one wooden nickel equals a dollar and it can be used to purchase food, beer, steins, kid’s activities and games. Sorry they are non-refundable, but can be used for the following year or can sell them to your neighbor, surely he needs another beer!!
What is the “O’ Zapft IS”?
That is the traditional ceremony from Germany where the Mayor of the town tapped a large wooden cask to kick off the event so the beer can start pouring. The SJCA will have our very own Mayor Doug Lyons tapping the large wooden cask provided by Carvers Brewing Company. However, to be more inclusive, we will also have the additional City Council members tapping a keg from the 3 other breweries Steamworks, Ska, and Durango Brewing.
How do I get an authentic German stein?
They are sold at the ticket booths when you purchase your wooden nickels.
Can I bring my dog?
No, sorry unfortunately because of new city guidelines you need to leave your pooch at home.
Is it going to be fun for my kids?
Yes, the Children’s museum of Durango and Durango nature studies will have kid’s crafts, a bouncy castle and a chance to ride on miniature Shetland ponies.
How can I become an art vendor?
General information- booth space is $100.00 for the weekend for a 10x10 space. You must provide your own tent and table and be able to set up for both days. Please see attached forms and contact Marsh at 259-1819.
How can I become a food vendor?
General information-booth space is $100.00 for the weekend for a 10x10 space, plus 20% of your gross sales. You must provide your own tent and table and be able to set-up for both days. Please see attached forms and contact Carol at 259-3583.
How can I become a volunteer?
Please contact Tracy at 259-3583
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