The Oktoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute will have changes to ensure a safe celebration
The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) has announced details of its popular fall festival and fundraiser, Oktoberfest, which is returning to the museum grounds from September 24-26, 2021.
The annual Dayton tradition is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and will bring some changes to the schedule and format of the festival to ensure a safe celebration for all.
“We are pleased to welcome the return of the DAI Oktoberfest this year, but we have also closely observed the developments with the pandemic over the course of the summer and are aware of the increasing number of COVID cases due to the Delta variant”, said DAI director & CEO Michael R. Roediger. “In order to make this outdoor festival as safe as possible for guests, employees and volunteers, we will be making some important changes to the festival layout and our Saturday times.”
The Oktoberfest weekend begins on Friday, September 24th, with the Lederhosen Lunch, 11am to 1.30pm, and the Preview Party, 7pm to 11pm, followed by the Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 25th and Sunday, September 26th. This year the Saturday times will be changed from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Sunday opening hours remain from 12:00 to 19:00
In addition, the museum building and the collection galleries are closed to the public from Thursday, September 23rd to Sunday, September 26th.
On the festival site, among other things, the two closed craft tents will be removed.
“It was a very difficult decision to remove the craftsmen’s tents for 2021, as this has been a central part of the festival since it was founded 50 years ago,” said Roediger. “These tents are closed to protect the craftsmen’s goods and are therefore not well ventilated. We were of the opinion that it would be in everyone’s interest not to include these tents in the festival layout this year. “
This change also allows for several food vendors to be relocated in the food court, as well as several other stalls near the main festival, to create more space on the museum grounds. These changes will help improve the traditionally congested areas of the festival.
There will also be fewer tables and chairs in the food court and main festival tents, and more seating and open tents will be added across the site to spread the crowd over a larger area.
“As the DAI’s largest annual fundraising campaign, it is of crucial importance for museum operations that we organize the Oktoberfest, but we want to do this in a responsible manner,” said Roediger. “We believe these changes will allow us to move Oktoberfest forward in a safe and enjoyable way for everyone. I am delighted to be able to welcome the community to the DAI for the 50th anniversary of the festival! “
Oktoberfest 2021 is dedicated to the memory of Brock Anderson Sr., whose family owns long-time Oktoberfest sponsor Bonbright Distributors.
A large part of the work planning for the Oktoberfest is taken over by the Associate Board of the DAI, an honorary board consisting of 32 couples, led by this year’s Oktoberfest chairmen Liz Wolfe-Eberly and Peter Eberly.
“It is an honor to act as festival chairs and to help shape this special Oktoberfest,” said the Eberlys. “We are grateful for all the hard work that the other members of the Associate Board put into bringing this festival to the community each year.”
Oktoberfest needs volunteers
The DAI still needs volunteers to support the festival. Oktoberfest would not be possible without the support of hundreds of volunteers. There are many different opportunities for volunteers at Oktoberfest 2021, including selling Oktoberfest mugs and t-shirts, selling soft drinks and water, manning inlet gates, and helping with family activities at the ACCO Brands FamilyFest. Anyone wishing to volunteer must register via the Oktoberfest page on the Dayton Art Institute website at www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktoberfest.
The highlights of this year’s festival include:
LEATHER PANTS LUNCH: The community dinner organized by the former Associate Board of the DAI offers the only free entry of the weekend with bratwurst, Mettwurst, schnitzel rolls, German salads and homemade noodles for sale as well as live music. The main beer truck is tapped for the Lederhosen lunch, and guests can also buy event tickets and Oktoberfest mugs and T-shirts.
PREVIEW PARTY: Presented by Premier Health, this exclusive, entry-level event includes free draft beer, wine and soft drinks, as well as live entertainment from Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), The Rubi Girls and DJ KimL.
A free shuttle service will be offered during the preview party. Park in the University of Dayton car park on River Park Drive, located between the Marriott and the Dayton Daily News buildings, and take the free shuttle service straight to and from the Preview Party.
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance for the Preview Party tickets: $ 55 members, $ 75 non-members. All tickets purchased at the gate are $ 95. Presale tickets can be purchased online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktoberfest, from the museum’s guest service during regular opening hours, or by calling 937-223-4ART (4278). Guests must be 21 years old and present valid ID to attend the Preview Party.
OKTOBERFEST: The most important Oktoberfest, presented by Miller Lite, includes a large selection of delicious dishes, more than 40 different craft and international beers and a selection of national and international wines. Visitors can relax in the fully covered areas of the main stage and the food court, as well as in a TV tent with four large-screen TVs for all the sports action on the weekend. Live music is played throughout the weekend in the food tent and on the main stage. The ACCO Brands FamilyFest takes place every Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 12 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. with special activities for all age groups.
New this year: A special “Last Call” happy hour from 4–6pm on Sunday, September 26, features $ 5 draft beer and $ 5 for all selections in the vineyard and cantina.
Oktoberfest general admission tickets (Saturday / Sunday) are $ 8 for adults and $ 5 for seniors and teenagers (ages 7-18). Tickets purchased at the gate are $ 10 for adults and $ 7 for seniors and teenagers. Children up to 6 years are free. Presale tickets can be purchased from the museum’s guest service or by calling 937-223-4ART (4278) during regular museum hours.
Advance purchase tickets are also available for purchase through close of business on Friday, September 24th at the following box offices: Dorothy Lane Market in Oakwood, Wilmington Square and Springboro; Arrow Wine on Far Hills and Lyons Road; Old Scratch Pizza on Patterson Road. and Miamisburg Centerville Rd .; and Ghostlight Coffee on Patterson Rd and Wayne Ave.
PARKING & SHUTTLE: Getting to and from the Oktoberfest is easy with free shuttle service, including shuttles for the preview party. Follow Oktoberfest signs and park for free in the University of Dayton car park behind the Marriott, right on Patterson Boulevard, and take the free shuttles straight to the Preview Party and Oktoberfest.
Visit www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktoberfest as the central point of contact for further information and updates on Oktoberfest. Join the conversation on social media by tagging your Oktoberfest posts with #OktoberfestDayton.
Oktoberfest is supported by many generous sponsors including Presenting: Miller Lite; Preview Party: Premier Health; Craft Beer: Cavalier Distribution; Weingarten: Heidelberger Vertriebsgesellschaft; Vehicle: White Allen Dealer Family; Lederhosen Lunch: KeyBank; Cups & Ts: Logos @ Work; Main stage: Cincinnati Bell; Family art: ACCO brands; Cigar: Arrow Wine & Spirits; Patrons: Enterprise Roofing & Sheetmetal, HarborLink Network, Oregon Printing and PSC Crane & Rigging; Supporting: Bladecutters Inc., Dayton International Airport, LWC Incorporated, M&M Title Co., The Modern College of Design, Old Scratch Pizza, RTA, Surdyk Dowd & Turner, Square One Salon & Spa and WesBanco; Media: ABC22 & FOX45; iHeartMedia Dayton; Special thanks: PNC.
Oktoberfest was started in 1971 by the DAI Associate Board, with the first public festival in 1972. Every year the DAI Associate Board helps organize the Oktoberfest as a fundraising campaign to support the museum. This group of 64 dedicated museum volunteers also organizes the annual art ball gala. Over the years, the Associate Board raised nearly $ 7.5 million for the museum through Oktoberfest. Since its inception, more than a million people visited the Oktoberfest of the DAI!
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