46th Annual Snowbird Oktoberfest Gives Utahns Their First Official Taste Of Autumn
On Saturday, Aug. 18, the 46th Snowbird Oktoberfest begins with the first of 10 weekends of Bavarian celebration stretching through Sunday, Oct. 21. The first three weekends of Oktoberfest feature three special events to kick off one of Utah’s longest continuous cultural events.
- Aug. 18: Salty Saints Social Club and Facial Hair Society Beard and Moustache Competition
- Aug. 25: Second Annual Snowbird Bratwurst Eating Championship
- Sept. 3: Grand Oktoberfest Procession
Admission to Oktoberfest is free. Hours are noon to 6:30 p.m. During the first two weekends, (Aug. 18–19, 25–26) Snowbird is offering free Aerial Tram rides to active and past military personnel and their families. Military personnel can present their military identification to the ticket office on the Plaza Deck.
“It’s been a long hot summer in Utah. Oktoberfest is a great way for families to escape the heat and spend some quality outdoor time with friends,” says Dave Fields, Snowbird General Manager. “There is something for everyone at Snowbird’s Oktoberfest, whether it’s the German food, polka music, wildflower hiking or activities, there’s something for everyone at Snowbird’s Oktoberfest.”
Family Friendly Beard and Moustache Competition
The Salty Saints Social Club and Facial Hair Society, a Utah-based non-profit group, will stage a beard and moustache competition at Snowbird on Saturday, Aug. 18. Registration begins at noon and the hairy competition begins at 2 p.m. Competitors of all ages are invited join. Eleven categories will ultimately be judged—ranging from long beards, freestyle beards, and build-a-beard competition for the kids—to name a few. All proceeds from the beard competition will benefit the Wasatch Adaptive Sports program at Snowbird. Wasatch Adaptive Sports provides entry-level through advanced instruction of winter and summer recreational pursuits for individuals with adaptive needs and their families.
Bratwurst Eating Championship
The world’s top competitive eaters will gather Saturday, Aug. 25, for the Second Annual Snowbird Bratwurst Eating Championship. This grueling battle between man and woman and tubular Germanic meats is sanctioned by Major League Eating and begins at 1:45 p.m. in the Snowbird Center Event Tent. At last year’s inaugural championship, Gideon Oji ate 34.5, 4.5oz bratwursts in 10 minutes taking home the title of Snowbird Bratwurst-Eating Champion of the World and a new world record. This year, Oji will defend his title against ten other fierce competitors, namely the No. 4-ranked Geoffrey Esper from Oxford, MA.
Grand Oktoberfest Procession
Although Snowbird’s Oktoberfest runs weekends through Oct. 21, you won’t want to miss the Grand Oktoberfest event during Labor Day weekend. Mirroring the Grand Entry of the Breweries in Munich, Germany, Snowbird stages a high-energy procession to deliver the ceremonial Oktoberfest Keg to the Halle. The march includes musicians and dancers and all are welcome to join.
New this year, during UEA weekend (Oct. 19-21), Oktoberfest will be running the whole weekend, including Friday, for families to enjoy the festivities. This is the first time Snowbird has included the first Friday of UEA in the Oktoberfest fun. Oktoberfest hours on the Friday will be the same as the normal weekend hours, noon to 6:30 p.m.
Throughout Oktoberfest, Snowbird will also be offering a variety of summer activities for all ages. The Tram will be open for scenic rides throughout Oktoberfest and alphorns play daily weekends atop Hidden Peak at 1 p.m. The Summit, Snowbird’s newest year-round guest facility located at 11,000 feet atop Hidden Peak, is a scenic spot to take in authentic Bavarian food and drink. Other activities include the all new Woodward WreckTangle, Vertical Drop, Alpine Slide, Mountain Coaster, Climbing Wall, Bungee Trampolines, Ropes Course, and Kids’ Inflatables. Mountain biking and hiking options are also available.
