La Mesa Oktoberfest

LA MESA OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2023 (La Mesa) — From  Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, La Mesa Oktoberfest will be celebrating 50 years of Bavarian festivities in an effort to top its traditions for the past half-century.


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STEIN TIME: LA MESA OKTORBERFEST RUNS SEPT. 30-OCT. 2

East County News Service

September 21, 2022 (La Mesa) – The 49th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest attracts revelers from across Southern California with three days of festive live music, games, and three biergartens (beer gardens) featuring German and craft beers. This year’s festivities, hosted by the La Mesa Village Association, take place September 30 through October 2 in the downtown La Mesa village.


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LA MESA OKTOBERFEST OCT.1-3 FEATURES BEER GARDENS, RIDES, LIVE MUSIC AND MORE

By Miriam Raftery

September 19, 2021 (La Mesa) – The 48th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest returns October 1-3 with all of the event’s traditional activities including three bier gardens, Gluckglich games, Dackeldorft Daschsund Village, a Ferris wheel, Kinder Karneval, craft fair, over 100 vendors, live music including oompah bands, dancing, traditional and international foods and more.


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LA MESA COUNCIL APPROVES 3-YEAR OKTOBERFEST CONTRACT AND INCREASED EDCO FEES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: LMVA president Peter Soutowood and Councilwoman Akilah Weber, during Oktoberfest discussion

June 26, 2019 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council, majority approved a 3-year permit for McFarlane Promotions to run the city’s popular Oktoberfest in partnership with the La Mesa Village Association, which will be from October 4-6 this year.

This year’s event will include several changes including an additional beer garden that will be German-themed with traditional German music, foods, and German-costumed servers.  Event-goers can still find a broader variety of music and foods at another beer garden plus food trucks that will be moved to a side street for improved flow; a total of 45 food vendors and 95 nonfood vendors will be included. There will be two kids fun zones with attractions such as a trampoline, inflatable jumps, and face painting. Wiener dog (dachshund) races, another crowd favorite, will return but be moved to Alison Avenue.

McFarlane will  provide a 50% cost recovery to the city, up to a maximum of $50,000 per year. Councilmembers Kristine Alessio and Akilah Weber voted no, wanting a higher cost recovery rate in the wake of projections that the city will likely have to tap its reserves to balance its budget in the next couple of years.


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BIG CROWD TURNS OUT FOR OPENING NIGHT FESTIVITIES AT LA MESA'S OKTOBERFEST

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

October 1, 2016 (La Mesa)-- Crowds thronged the streets of  La Mesa last night for the opening of Oktoberfest , savoring an array of international foods,  Bavarian beer, root beer, arts and crafts vendors, and dancing the night away in the beer garden to the strains of a German band.

View video of La Mesans and visitors partying hearty:

 


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LA MESA OKTOBERFEST BRINGS OUT THE GERMAN IN AN ITALIAN

 

By Liz Alper

October 1, 2016 (La Mesa) - This year's Oktoberfest in La Mesa was packed!  There were tons of people enjoying all the street vendors.


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WILLKOMMEN! LA MESA OKTOBERFEST ADDS NEW, AUTHENTIC ATTRACTIONS TO 3-DAY GERMAN CELEBRATION

 

New Authentic Food, Beer, Games, Contests, Dance Parties and Entertainment Highlight Largest Oktoberfest West of the Mississippi

East County News Service

September 1, 2016 (La Mesa) – The Bob Stall Chevrolet La Mesa Oktoberfest Presented by Spaten opens Friday, September 30 with a 3-day weekend dedicated to family fun, authentic German food, beer and entertainment.


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43RD ANNUAL LA MESA OKTOBERFEST SEPT. 30 - OCT. 2

 

East County News Service

August 19, 2016 (La Mesa) - You're invited to the largest Oktoberfest celebration west of the Mississippi:  La Mesa Oktoberfest from September 30 to October 2, 2016.

The free event is spread out over nearly six blocks in La Mesa Village and features hundreds of exhibitors, family friendly activities, German food, music, dancing, outfits, games and of course, beer.


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FULL HOUSE TURNS OUT TO HEAR MAYOR AT LA MESA CONVERSATIONS

Next events: The town library – Nov. 18, holiday mixer Dec. 3

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2015 (La Mesa) – A packed crowd turned out at Johnny B’s restaurant in La Mesa last month for a mixer hosted by La Mesa Conversations.

Mayor Mark Arapostathis spoke on Oktoberfest,  which this year was scaled back to two days with fewer vendors but more emphasis on the festival’s German roots.  This Oktoberfest was run by the La Mesa Village Merchants Association, without the Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor addressed how Oktoberfest has changed through the years, reminiscing about past festivals and how the changes have impacted the community and local merchants.

A representantative from the merchants' group also have a preview of upcoming events including Christmas in the Village, a grand reopening of the downtown streets and the centennial legacy project unveiling.


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WILKOMMEN! CROWDS RETURN TO LA MESA FOR OKTOBERFEST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2015 (La Mesa)—La Mesa’s annual Oktoberfest took place last weekend, on a smaller sale than in the past but with a renewed emphasis on the festival’s roots: German food, beer and music.


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CONDITIONS MUST BE MET BEFORE LA MESA OKTOBERFEST PERMIT WILL BE ISSUED

Concerns raised over merchants group's solvency and credibility during heated hearing

By Kristin Kjaero

August 3, 2015 (La Mesa) – Whether or not there will be an Oktoberfest 2015 is in the hands of the La Mesa Village Merchants Association (LMVMA).

On Tuesday, the Council voted 4-1 to grant conditional approval for this year’s Oktoberfest, with Council member Ruth Sterling voting against. The deal requires the LMVMA to pay all outstanding debt plus a 25% security deposit and meet a scheduled list of new requirements giving the City oversight of LMVMA’s outside contracts for the event, before an Oktoberfest permit will be issued.

If all deadlines are met, Oktoberfest 2015 will be smaller and shorter: two days instead of three, closing an hour earlier, and held only in the downtown area east side of Spring Street. However, if any deadline is not met, Oktoberfest will be automatically cancelled with no further Council action required--and no refunds.


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CHAMBER MOVES BEER GARDEN TO GROSSMONT CENTER AMID UNCERTAINTY OVER FUTURE OF OKTOBERFEST

By Kristin Kjaero

July 14, 2015 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Grossmont Center and the Cushman family, to submit a Special Events application to the City for a beer garden event October 16 – 17.

Describing it as “family-friendly,” the application proposes live music, 4-5 food vendors and 3-4 sponsor tables, to be held in the parking area where Hooley Fest has been held in the past.


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VILLAGE MERCHANTS BEGIN SELLING BOOTHS FOR OKTOBERFEST

No permit, no debt repayment plan yet, but the clock is ticking

By Kristin Kjaero

June 9, 2015 (La Mesa) – Although the City Council sent them back to the drawing board with a requirement that means they must come up with a repayment plan for $37,229 they owe the City before any new special event applications from them will be processed, the La Mesa Village Merchants Association yesterday evening sent e-mails to all 2014 Oktoberfest vendors soliciting applications and payments for booth rentals for a 2015 Oktoberfest.

The e-mail states, “Even though it was very hot during the day, the event was a great success. We hope that you feel the same way and will consider joining us again this year.”

The Merchants group owes the City $33,996 for Police, Fire and other support services provided for the 2014 Oktoberfest, and said at the last City Council meeting that they’d spent the revenue from it on Christmas in the Village instead of paying back the City’s General Fund.

The e-mail gives the vendors a date, time, fees for booth rental (ranging from $500 for crafters up to $2,100 for food vendors plus $100 cleaning deposit), and where to send their checks, but does not mention the debt issue or problems with their previous application which triggered a City Council policy change regarding special event applications and permits.


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BRATS, BEER AND MUCH MORE: LA MESA OKTOBERFEST OCT. 3-5

 

September 22, 2014 (La Mesa)--The La Mesa Oktoberfest is one of East County’s biggest street festivals, drawing 200,000 people every year. This year’s Oktoberfest will be held October 3-5 in the heart of La Mesa’s downtown village on La Mesa  Boulevard between 4th Avenue and Acadia.

The event, sponsored by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the La Mesa Village Merchants Association, began as a small street fair over 35 years ago. Now the three-day bash features over 250 vendors, food including German bratwurst and a beer garden, kids’ activities and entertainment ranging from German music to classic rock and roll.


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ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR LA MESA OKTOBERFEST

 

September 28, 2013 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s Oktoberfest October 4-6 will feature a variety of musical entertainment, from an authentic German band to classic rock and roll.  Scroll down for a schedule of events.  You can also view a video provided by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Community Spectrum about the event at  http://bcove.me/gbaks5ge.

If you attend, be sure to stop by East County Magazine’s booth outside All Things Bright and British to say hello!


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LA MESA TO CELEBRATE OKTOBERFEST OCT. 4-6

 

September 11, 2013 (La Mesa) - Soon the sounds of polka music, as well as rock and roll, will be heard throughout the downtown area of La Mesa, as the 40th Annual Oktoberfest kicks off October 4-6. Barbecues will be heating up for bratwurst and  kegs in the Chamber's "big beer garden" during downtown La Mesa's popular fall tradition.

Thousands of people come to La Mesa during this three-day event to enjoy German-style food, live music and vendor booths. The La Mesa Chamber hosts its "family-friendly" beer garden sponsored by Sycuan Casino, located on Allison Street between Pine and Palm Streets, where you can hear live music all weekend, enjoy games for the entire family and sit while eating "the best food this side of the Mississippi," says Chamber president Mary England.

The entertainment lineup for this year’s event includings a Germand brass band on a national tour and much more.   Full schedule:


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FROM RAVING POLKA TO GERMAN BRATS: LA MESA OKTOBERFEST TAKES TO THE STREETS OCT. 5-7

October 5, 2012 (La Mesa) – Oktoberfest has been a tradition in La Mesa for 35 years, growing from a small street fair to a three-day fest that now draws over 186,000 attendees and 400 vendors. La Mesa Chamber has partnered with La Mesa Village Merchants Association, founders of the event. 

This year’s festivities include not only such German favorites as bratwurst, beer, and a Raving Polka band, but also more contemporary favorites such as CarTune Dogs playing classic rock and Jumpin’ Jack Flash mobile music all weekend long.


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“BIGGEST AND BEST EVER” OKTOBERFEST KICKS OFF FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY IN LA MESA


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LA MESA CENTENNIAL CALENDARS ON SALE AT OKTOBERFEST

 

 

September 29, 2011 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Historical Society opens its Centennial year activities with the release for sale of its special edition 2012 Centennial Calendar at Oktoberfest, which runs Sept. 30 through October 2.

 

Calendars feature historic photos plus fun Centennial facts.


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PARTY TIME! 7th ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION IN LA MESA OCT. 1-3

 

September 28, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the La Mesa Village Merchants’ Association invite you to La Mesa's annual Oktoberfest celebration in the downtown Village October 1-3.  This year's event will feature 400 vendors, two beer gardens, live music, carnival rides, and an estimated 200,000 visitors.

Hours are:


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LA MESA OKTOBERFEST PROVES A ROUSING SUCCESS

 

 

October 7, 2009 (La Mesa) – The big beer garden filled to capacity on Friday and Saturday night, when party-goers from around San Diego County gathered in downtown La Mesa to celebrate La Mesa’s Oktoberfest. Entertainment ranged from polka dancing to a rock-and-roll band, plus perennial favorites such as the beer stein hoisting contest (photo, left). La Mesa Police estimate that more than 200,000 people flocked to the three-day event.


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LA MESA OKTOBERFEST GEARING UP FOR BIGGEST CELEBRATION YET

September 30,2009 (La Mesa) – Friday, Saturday and Sunday, more than 200,000 people are expected to flock to downtown La Mesa for one of East County’s biggest annual celebrations: La Mesa 36th Annual Oktoberfest. This year, watch for some new attractions—and the return of an old favorite.

By popular demand, the big beer garden is back—along with traditional German foods and music including a Bavarian band the Gemutlichkeit Dancers. But there are also some changes—including Sunday afternoon rock and roll music by the Heroes, one of San Diego’s most popular rock groups, plus new food options ranging from shaved ice to hamburgers.


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BIGGEST OKTOBERFEST WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI: LA MESA OCT. 2-4

 

September 14, 2009 (La Mesa) -- You're invited to join a few friends--200,000 or so--in the biggest Oktoberfest celebration in the Western United States.  Festivities extend through six blocks in the La Mesa Village area of downtown La Mesa, featuring three beer gardens and more than 300 vendors.

 


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