UPDATE: Due to this weekend’s inclement weather, Hamilton has rescheduled Oktoberfest for Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16.
Hamilton Township is shaking up their fall festivities with a new two-day community celebration.
The township will host Oktoberfest in Veterans Park on Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16. The event will replace the Septemberfest and Fall Harvest festivals, which were previously held in Veterans Park and Kuser Park, respectively.
Oktoberfest will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday with a performance by The Heartbeats and will end with a fireworks display after the concert. Throughout the day, there will be food vendors, bounce houses and other children’s activities.
Sunday’s festivities will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include craft and food vendors, music, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and more.
Alcoholic beverages will not permitted on the grounds at Oktoberfest.
While this year’s Oktoberfest marks the beginning of a new Hamilton celebration, it also ends the 35-year tradition of Septemberfest. Residents have expressed mixed reactions to the news. Some residents said they’re excited to experience something different in Hamilton, while others are sad to see a tradition get left behind.
Both Septemberfest and Fall Harvest drew large crowds, and many residents said they’re worried combining the events will result in even longer lines and more congested festival areas.
Township officials, however, felt that it was time to shake up the fall celebrations and combine the events, which took place within weeks of each other.
“I think residents will really enjoy this exciting new event, which combines the very best of Septemberfest and Fall Harvest into one fun-filled weekend,” Mayor Kelly Yaede said. “I hope that our entire community will come out and help us start this new tradition.”
For more information, visit Hamilton’s website.
