Hitting up Belleville Oktoberfest? See the schedule, vendors before you go
Oktoberfest brings the best of Bavaria back to Belleville this weekend, marking its 44th year and the arrival of fall.
One of the highlights of any Belleville festival is the food and the beer. Oktoberfest is no exception, and this year’s festivities will feature vendors offering foods consisting of more than traditional German fare.
This year’s food vendors include:
- Babushka’s Polish Foods
- Beast Craft BBQ
- The Best Wurst
- Brazil Catering
- Casa Maria
- Chef Lyfe Catering & Charcuterie
- Dizon’s
- Filipino Sari-Sari Store
- Grillin’ & Chillin’
- Guldops Fish & Chicken
- Maya Juice Bar
- Mediterranean Cuisine
- Mi Hungry BBQ & Jamaican Cuisine
- Red Apron
- Serendipity
- SouthernSmoke Catering
- Spud Shack
A map showing all vendors and booths is available on the event website.
Schedule for live music, other events
As you eat and drink your fill, the weekend holds plenty of entertainment, from the Tapping of the Keg on Friday to the Kiss the Pig fundraiser (Friday-Saturday) as well as live music, games and contests, a car show and much more.
Friday, Sept. 19
- Noon to 3 p.m. – Rendition, German Stage
- 4:45-7:45 p.m. – The Wurst Bavarian Band, German Stage
- 5-8 p.m. – Melodic Rhythms - School of Rock, Community Stage
- 5:45-6 p.m. – Expressions Academy of Dance Performance Team, Community Stage
- 5:45-7:45 p.m. – Grand Allusion: A Tribute To Styx, Main Stage
- 6 p.m. – Tapping of the Keg, German Stage
Saturday, Sept. 20
- 10 a.m. – Cornhole Tournament (Registration at 10 a.m. Tourney starts at 11 a.m.)
- 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Elder Emos Pop Punk Party Band, Main Stage
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Belleville German Band, German Stage
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Shriners Children’s Free Screening Clinic, Art on the Square building, 30 Public Square)
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Up All Night, Community Stage
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Children’s Area, East Main and High streets
- 1:45-3:45 p.m. – Feeling This: A Tribute To Blink 182, Main Stage
- 2 p.m. – Weiner Dog Race and Costume Contest
- 2-5 p.m. – Deutchmeister Brass Band, German Stage
- 3-5 p.m. – The Prairie Hwy Band, Community Stage
- 4:45-7:45 p.m. – The Teenage Dirtbags and The Alabama Dirtbags, Main Stage
- 5 p.m. – Stein Holding Competition, Community Stage
- 5:30-8 p.m. – Uber Cool, German Stage
- 6-7:45 p.m. – Stone Blanket, Community Stage
Sunday, Sept. 21
- 8 a.m. to noon – Car Show registration, East Main and North Charles streets
- 11 a.m. – Washer Toss Tournament (11 a.m. to noon registration)
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Band Over Mid-America, Community Stage
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Good Times Band, German Stage
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Shotgun Creek, Main Stage
- 2-5 p.m. – So Grand Polka, German Stage
- 2-5 p.m. – The Warped Band, Community Stage
- 3-5 p.m. – The Dave Mendoza Band, Main Stage
Changes to this year’s festival
This year, Oktoberfest takes place Friday through Sunday, a change from the two-day celebration in previous years. The additional day for the annual event follows a decision to close downtown events earlier on Friday and Saturday, part of the city’s latest efforts to prioritize the safety of those attending and working at community events.
In addition to shortening event hours, Belleville City Council recently revised an ordinance that now prohibits people from bringing backpacks, satchel (messenger) bags or any other bags larger than 9 by 12 inches to festivals unless they are event staff or authorized vendors.
An existing rule prohibits people from wearing masks, hoods or other clothing to conceal their identities.
About Belleville Oktoberfest
The 44th annual Belleville Oktoberfest takes place 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 19-20, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Belleville’s Public Square.
The event is the largest fundraiser for three community organizations — Belleville Sister Cities, Ainad Shriners of Southern Illinois and Belleville Firefighters Local #53, all of which will participate.
To learn more about this event, visit bellevilleoktoberfest.com. For updates, check out facebook.com/bellevilleoktoberfest.
