September 24, 2022
2022-09-24T11:00:00
74 Parker Street
Gardner, MA 01440
Gardner Ale House Oktoberfest - Party In The Street
Saturday, September 24, 2022
11:00 AM till 9:00 PM German Beer Garden, All Day All Night
At 11:00 AM, the Gardner Ale House opens, the German Beer Garden opens, the music begins and the crowd slowly grows. This year the Hofbrahaus Bavarians, an authentic German folk band, will be pounding out the 3-3 Oktoberfest beats!
11:30 AM Tapping of the Oktoberfest Keg
With authentic German folk music by the Hofbrahaus Bavarians, playing in the morning, we now begin formally with this tapping and the singing of Ein Prosit. After the ceremony, the music changes to something a bit more non-ethnic and a bit more rock ‘n’ roll’y, but, decidedly nostalgic, for the Ale House owner is old and somewhat stuck in the 60s and early 70s.
1:00 PM Men & Women’s Steinholding Competition
“Did you know there is a US Steinholding Association devoted to the ancient German tradition of steinholding, better known as Masskrugstemmen? It’s an Oktoberfest thing and we are an officially sanctioned competition site for the Massachusetts contest. The winners go to Jack’s Abbey Oktoberfest in Framingham the following weekend to compete for the state championship dressed in Moon Hill t-shirt and hat.
You down? You feeling rough? Strong men and strong women are invited to take the stage and hoist a 5-lb mug of Oktoberfest Lager for as long as you possibly can. The contest is strictly judged and you must not spill a drop. The mug is yours if you win and it is a serious mug, actually it’s a stein. No need to sign up, just be ready with your arm on the day. The first 10 women and the first 10 men will be allowed to compete, at our Oktoberfest, the last Saturday in September. 1:00 PM sharp!”
2:00 PM Gardner Chair Luge
The Chair Luge Is Back In 2022!
To miss this is sadness, to compete is insanity. The Ale House owner was insane once, and paid for it. He actually, believably, faked his own death for about 15 seconds. Some people didn’t think it was funny. He thought he was in too much pain to pull it off anyway – he had to moan and writhe, as required.
The idea is to get a chair, put wheels on it, put some kind of brakes and steering on it (if you care), don a helmet and roll downhill towards Beauregard Liquors from the Ale House. This event has been taken on as a project by the fun loving Acadian Social Club just down the street. They feature “Human Bumpers”, a locally known emcee who’s shtick and costume are always a surprise, and several accidents.
3:30 Live Music on the Stage
This year the music starts at 3:30PM
Immediately following the Gardner Chair Luge, some of the region’s finest live musical acts take the stage in the parking lot across from the Ale House, as the party takes yet another turn – dancing, chilling and getting re-acquainted with people or getting to know new people with a free concert.
3:30 PM Headliner Gino Matteo
5:15 PM Matt Swanton Band featuring Wildcat O’Halloran
6:30 PM New Pond Fondle
We close the street party down by 9:00 PM. The pub stays open a bit longer, but not much, for we are all tired and talked out and see only our beds in our heads.