Iron your lederhosen and grab your beer stein: It's Oktoberfest season!
After scaling down last year's celebration due to the pandemic, Oktoberfest is back in all its glory Saturday in Old Munichburg.
The 21st annual German heritage event hosted by the Old Munichburg Association is slated for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the West Dunklin, Broadway and Washington streets neighborhood.
The festivities get underway Saturday morning with a 10 a.m. keg tapping ceremony at the Washington Street main stage.
A highlight of event, the Dachshund Derby and Costume Contest, is back this year. Registration starts at 11 a.m. for the 1 p.m. race and contest on Dunklin Street, west of Hawthorn Bank.
The Mid-Mo Old Car Club's Old Car Round Up and Show - another Oktoberfest staple - is also on the books at the intersection of Dunklin and Broadway streets. Pre-registration is required from 8-10 p.m.; judging wraps up around 3 p.m.
On the main stage, there will be an 11 a.m. performance by Those Guys; the Mulekicker Cloggers go on at 2 p.m.; the Tanner Lee Band plays at 3 p.m.; and the stein-holding competition is at 4 p.m.
Brats, hot dogs and other festival goodies will be available starting at 10:30 a.m., and the Muenchberg beer and wine garden will be set up on the Prairie Farms Warehouse lot.
For the youngsters, a kids' corner with crafts, games, face painting, balloon art and a bounce house is planned for the parking lot at Hawthorn Bank.
Can't wait until Saturday to celebrate? End your Friday with a German-style dinner at Central Church, 118 W. Ashley St. The annual dinner, which will be serving drive-thru meals only, is 4:30-7 p.m. and features grilled sausage, sauerkraut, German potato salad, fried apples and green beans for $12. A kid's meal of a hot dog, chips and green beans goes for $4.
For more information, visit the www.old munichburg.com or the Old Munichburg Association Facebook page.