By Tina L. Scott
Saint Stephens United Church of Christ is celebrating their third annual Oktoberfest celebration this year on Saturday, September 26, but … like everything else in 2020 … they’re doing it a bit differently and on a smaller scale. They’re calling it Oktoberfest by Saint Stephens – Covid Edition!
In the best interest of public health, they aren’t creating a mass gathering celebrating their German heritage with music, dancing, and games this year. But they are celebrating the flavors of their German heritage and sharing that with the entire community with great food. So if you’ve been waiting all summer to sink your teeth into grilled brats and hotdogs, mac & cheese, German potato salad, and homemade pretzels, wait no longer!
Oktoberfest by Saint Stephens – Covid Edition – will be held Saturday, September 26, from 4 p.m.- 9 p.m. at The Sawmill Brewing Company, 1110 East 10th Street in Merrill, and food will be available for purchase outdoors from Saint Stephens and beer available for purchase through The Sawmill. All food is available for carry out or “dine in” under the big tent outdoors. Food purchases are cash only.
Masks are welcome and social distancing is encouraged with lots of space beneath the tent for everyone to have a good time and still stay comfortable and safe. Tables and chairs will also be sanitized regularly to ensure the safety of attendees.
Oktoberfest will be held rain or shine and there is no admission fee. So if you’ve been waiting all summer for some kind of fun event, this could be the event of the summer. Join friends, family, and community in coming together for a great community event, albeit on a smaller scale, and enjoy delicious German fare.
Then don’t forget to mark your calendars for Oktoberfest 2021 which will be the last Saturday in September, as well.