When the weather cools off, the streets of Hickory heat up.
This year's Oktoberfest, the city's 23rd annual German-themed festival, helps usher in autumn and all the merriment that comes with it.
"It's time to slip into your lederhosen, break out the beer and brats and get ready to polka," says Festival Chairwoman Tracy Nestor.
Nearly non-stop music cranks up Friday at 5:30 p.m., Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and lasts until the festival ends each night. Five stages bring festivalgoers the best in blues, rock, old-time, beach, contemporary Christian and even German music.
Oktoberfest rocks the kids, too. The little ones get their own stage with demonstrations from gymnasts, martial artists and young actors. They can even get in on the act with Rick Cline's Trash Can kids.
An expanded Kidsfest area also includes rides and a veritable inflatable kingdom where little ones rule and adults are held at bay outside the inflatable entrance.
Also look for the return of the Flex Flyer, the giant inflatable cushions that bounce kids high into the air.
You can use that to lure them by booths of more than 75 fine craft and art vendors. Their handmade items range from copper yard art to fine photography, landscapes, sculpture and first-rate jewelry. For the more practical shopper, Oktoberfest vendors boast merchandise such as sunglasses and handmade soap.
Food booths serve everything from homemade chicken pie to Polish sausage to everybody's favorite, funnel cake, and give visitors one more reason to love Oktoberfest.
Then there's the beer garden. Make those two more reasons.
For festivalgoers feeling guilty about all those treats, the Fourth Annual Oktoberfest footrace is Saturday. The 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk raises money for the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry.
Another way to do something good for the community while you're doing something fun for yourself: Bring a couple cans — or even a whole bag full — of non-perishable food for the Castle of Cans — the Castle of Caring. Donations go to Catawba County agencies, which help feed families in need. You also can drop off your cans at Food Lion stores in the county.
The three-day festival will bring an estimated 100,000 people downtown, say organizers with the Hickory Downtown Development Association.
And you're invited.
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