Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
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Asheville is Beer City USA, and we proved it again on Saturday.
The first annual Oktoberfest on Wall Street in downtown Asheville was an unrestrained drink-fest. Perhaps it was the overcast skies. Perhaps it was my low expectations for this first-year event. Perhaps it was my own boredom with the tried-and-true Brewgrass.
Whatever it was, the Bavarian beer gods smiled down to grant the 1,500 revelers with a real party spirit. An oompah band kept up the beat. Chicken dancers kept flapping. Keg-rollers kept racing. Local breweries kept pouring.
And revelers kept drinking. Boy, did they drink. I haven’t seen a crowd so wide-open in a long time. Everyone, it seemed, was having a rocking good time. For a $25 ticket, people got as much local beer as they could drink, as well as a glass beer mug. A bunch of T-shirts were tossed out, as well.
For the most part, people kept it civil. I didn’t see any nasty drunks, though there are always a few in a crowd, right? I ran into lots of tourists who just happened upon the event, which added to the spontaneity of the event.
This was the first year for Oktoberfest, sponsored by the Asheville Downtown Association to showcase our great local beer scene, as well as Wall Street, an oft-overlooked little gem of an avenue in our downtown. (I’d really like to see the city completely close the street to through auto traffic on Wall Street, but that’s another blog entry.)
Hands-down, Oktoberfest 2009 wins best beer party of the year in Asheville. So far.
I think it was a good time. However, I do think they need to have more food next time. The one tent (with not very good bratwurst or whatever it was) was not enough. I for one did not want to go inside somewhere and eat it and them miss the activities outside. It would have been nice to have more options that were readily available. The promotion for it was a little misleading in how the food was available. German food is more then just sausage. Other then that it was a good time and I loved the Stratton Mtn Boys!
Why is it that any negative criticism of a beer-centric event seems to latch on to the false notions that everyone involved with said event is a lazy, drunken heathen who is a menace to society and the people around them? I speak not so much about responses here, but elsewhere in connection to the event. Beer has functioned as a social ‘center’ in many different societies for hundreds of years, and has indeed been connected to various religious groups and practices as well. Some people enjoy brewing for the craft, science, and yes… the end product! And they enjoy it RESPONSIBLY! There will always be people who take things to extremes, but for the most part the people who put on and attend these ‘beer-centric’ activities are in it for more than just to get wasted. Also, the brewing industry contributes a lot to the local economy as well.
Holy moly, I’m so there next year!!!
the hoff and pam anderson appreciate all the love.
asheville really is beer city usa!
I love the idea of closing Wall Street to vehicles!
more drunken frat boys, yeah!
Yay more reasons to drink downtown, like we had a lack of that, and Octoberfest isn’t actually a new thing.
Yawn, Asheville thinking its different since 1993
I thought there were more than just a few really nasty drunk participants. Not really a good thing for downtown IMHO.
It’s cool when you walk away feeling, ‘I just was part of a thing, an event, a happening.’ Mojo, zeitgeist or whatever, you can feel it.
Foxfield used to have that sometimes.
Yeah, who knew ‘beer samples’ meant a bottomless cup of local goodness?
Thanks for the great review of of Oktoberfest. Everyone had a great time and in spite of the rain the reviews were tremendous. We support both merchants and residents and promote downtown as a destination. Thanks
Great pictures, Ash! Made me want to go next year. You captured some authentic expressions there…
Their gonna need more room next year. Can’t wait, each person that attended will tell ten friends and it will be the end of Bele Chere and the beginning of Oktoberfest. Hell yes, finally an event worth attending…