Deadwood’s Annual Oktoberfest Celebration: Beer, Brats and Unique Competitions
Polka, wiener dogs, beer, brats, beer barrel games and the Tour de Oktoberfest – it’s Oktoberfest weekend in Deadwood. The historic community brings the German celebration to the Black Hills Sept. 28-30, and with it a whole lot of crowd-pleasing fun.
Deadwood’s famous Wiener Dog Races return to Deadwood’s Historic Main Street for Oktoberfest, along with bratwurst giveaways, German food cook-off, Beer Barrel Games and the Tour de Oktoberfest, which includes Oktoberfest-themed games at downtown locations.
Registration is now open for teams to participate in the Beer Barrel Games and other contests, as well as the Wiener Dog Races. Short-legged Daschunds run like Olympic sprinters through Deadwood’s Main Street race course. The winning dogs receive, among other things, a trophy topped with a giant hot dog. The Wiener Dog Races are open to two classes of dogs – mini and standard. Many of the participants, and even their owners, come dressed in costume – the dog with the best costume walks away a winner.
You’ll see people rolling kegs, racing with trays of full beer glasses, hammering nails and holding beer steins in outstretched arms in a game of endurance. Other events in the Beer Barrel Games include the beer stein race, hammering nails, keg roll, wiener toss and more. Many of Deadwood’s businesses also get into the spirit of Oktoberfest. They offer their own German music and Oktoberfest-themed specials and giveaways.
Friday, Sept. 29, 2017
Noon – 4:00 p.m.: PolkaFest at the Martin & Mason Hotel Ballroom
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.: Registration for the Tour de Oktoberfest at Oyster Bay 5:00 p.m.: Brat giveaway and beer sampling at Oyster Bay
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.: Tour de Oktoberfest – Visit locations throughout Deadwood’s Main Street for games. Plenty of prizes including bar tabs and free rooms! Turn your score cards in by 9 p.m.
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.: PolkaFest at the Martin & Mason Hotel Ballroom
9:15 p.m.: Tour de Oktoberfest awards at Eagle Bar (Must be present to win)
Open Containers allowed from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday!
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017
11:00 a.m.: Registration for the Wiener Dog Races on Main Street in front of Mustang Sally’s
Noon: Brat giveaway and beer sampling at 777 Lounge at the Holiday Inn Express
Noon-4:00 p.m.: PolkaFest at the Martin & Mason Hotel Ballroom
1:00 p.m.: The 11th Annual Wiener Dog Races kick-off on Main Street in front of The Bullock Hotel 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Weim, Wine & Cheese in front of the Saloon No. 10 – Wine and cheese tasting, family pet photos
2:00 p.m.: Registration for Beer Barrel Games in front of the Gold Dust
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.: German Cook-Off at locations throughout Deadwood
3:00 p.m.: 11th Annual Beer Barrel Games kick-off on Main Street in front of the Gold Dust
6:00 p.m.: Beer Barrel Game Awards at Saloon #10 Open Containers allowed from noon to 10:00 p.m. Saturday!
