The ninth annual Maysville Oktoberfest, presented by the Maysville Rotary Club, kicks off this Friday, celebrating our German heritage.

Oktoberfest will feature live traditional music, traditional German folk dancing, German biers, wines and schnapps, and authentic German cuisine. The Maysville Rotary invites its fellow citizens and visitors to enjoy a taste of Germany in the heart of our beautiful historic downtown Maysville, Friday from 5-10 p.m., and again from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., Saturday.

In addition to our usual Stein Hoisting and Log Sawing events, we will continue with the Pub/Restaurant and the Fitness/Gym Stein Hoisting contests that we began last year. The first eight representatives for each challenge will compete in a “Last Person Standing” contest. Iron Fist Gym and Crowe Bar were the 2018 Winners.

The entertainment this year will be The Klaberheads, from Cincinnati from 5 – 10 p.m. on Friday. Saturday’s musical entertainment will be the Mädel Jäger band from Pittsburgh. Traditional German folk dancing will be at 5:15 p.m.

New for 2019, the Maysville Rotary Club is starting a new tradition of giving first graders a schultüte. The first day of first-grade is a turning point in the life of every child — and family! That’s enough reason to celebrate big time. In Germany, by far the most important tradition is the “schultüte,” literally school bag or cone. This German tradition originated in the early 1800s. First graders get a special treat on their first day of school: a colorful and elaborately decorated cone which is prepared by a students’ parents and with goodies such as small school supplies (like pens, pencil cases, erasers, etc.), toys and candy.

If you have a first grader this fall, let us help celebrate their big year! The first 48 first graders will receive a shultüte! Please stop by the information booth.

Saturday, starting at 8 a.m. and continuing until 10 p.m., enjoy a variety of children and adult events. The start of the MCTCS Project Malaria 5K run/walk for our two-legged friends begins at 8 a.m.,, followed by the Humane Society of Buffalo Trace’s Wiener Dogs Races for our four-legged friends. Noon – 2:30 p.m., McDonald’s of Maysville and the Limestone Family Y will present the Kid’s Bavarian Fair on the Second Street Mall. Bürgermeister David Cartmell’s German Auto Show-Off will be again be on Second Street from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Strolling origami artist, strolling magician, and a stilt balloon artist will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Vendors and music will begin at noon.

Stober Drive’s Tug-O-War Competition has a start time of 3 p.m. this year. Please visit our website for a complete listing of events and times. www.MaysvilleOktoberfest.org

The winner of the 2019 logo contest is Tracy Duncan. Tracy also designed our poster for this year.

The Annual Oktoberfest Window Decorating contest winners this year are Sprinkles of Hope Bakery taking first place, and Out of The Attic taking second. The contest was sponsored by The Ledger Independent, and the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center. Thank you to all who participated in the contest, and to all those who decorated for the festival. Our historic downtown looks very festive!

The carnival rides will continue on Middle Market, and Middle Market will close to traffic for setup starting at 10 a.m. Friday. Second Street and lower Market will close as usual at noon on Friday for setup.

The proceeds from the festival supports our Scholarship Fund. Each year the Maysville Rotary awards scholarships to the Maysville Community and Technical College for two area students.

This Oktoberfest participant hoist a stein of bier in a previous Oktobertfest in Maysville.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_oktoberfest01-004-.jpgThis Oktoberfest participant hoist a stein of bier in a previous Oktobertfest in Maysville.