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Campbell puts on its autumn colors for Oktoberfest
Estimated 30,000 expected to attend downtown festival
By Genevieve Roja
Munich, eat your bratwurst out.
The world's biggest public festival--the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany--has a rival in Campbell, which is hosting its own version of the sausage-downing, beer-guzzling celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday.
It is estimated that 30,000 will attend the event, which features approximately 125 food vendors and booths with crafts ranging from crocheted items to casino waist packs. The fourth annual Oktoberfest stretches along four blocks of Campbell Avenue, which will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday until 8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free; Oktoberfest attendees will be charged for single-priced items at food and drink booths.
"The goal, as it has always been, is to bring people into the Campbell area, the community, and to the downtown area," says Betty Deal, Campbell Chamber of Commerce executive director. "If we make money on this, we get to bring it back next year."
The Campbell Toy Program and Santa Clara County's Toys for Tots, Campbell Kiwanis, Campbell Chamber and the Campbell Education Foundation are just some of the organizations that should benefit from Oktoberfest.
"It's a shared profit, shared community," Deal says. "Vendors like to shop and come here, shop downtown Campbell, and stay in Campbell. Our goal is to spotlight our town."
There will be several new faces at the Oktoberfest this year, especially among the food vendors. Burrito Real--home of the "World's Biggest Burrito," according to the Guinness Book of World Records--will serve chicken and steak burritos, enchiladas, chips and more. German merges with Greek at the Six Rivers Pita Company, an establishment from Placerville that showcases traditional Greek delicacies, including gyros, Mediterranean vegetables, chicken Caesar salad and shrimp pita sandwiches.
It doesn't stop there. Artichokes Etc. from Watsonville will unleash its spicy artichoke "Hearts Afire" on the crowd, while San Jose's Moon River Corn Company will keep festival-goers chomping on corn on the cob and basking in baked potatoes and super nachos.
Sausage, of course, is on the menu thanks to Oktoberfest newcomer Lockeford Meat and Sausage Company, specializing in sausages, sauerkraut and relishes. And there's a generous smattering of sausages available at the Little Hofbrau. "They have German sausages, bierwurst, chicken and apple sausages, Black Forest smoked pork with homemade sauerkraut and homemade potato salad," says Ron Dunham, Chamber financial officer, who's in charge of coordinating this year's food vendors.
Campbell's Mama Mia's will also have a booth, as will the Smokehouse BBQ, with its slow-roasted tri-tip sandwiches, Indian tacos, ribbon potato chips, and an authentic German sausage demonstration.
Spaten--the official beer of the Munich Oktoberfest--will be poured continuously throughout the two-day affair. Music is supplied by the Internationals, the only American band that has played at the Munich Oktoberfest, says Lisa McNiven, coordinator of Der Biergarten stage, community stage and children's events. Dance studios from Campbell, Los Gatos and San Jose will use the community stage.
Adults aren't the only ones who have fun in store. Kids will have their own corner of the festival--Kiddie Korner, that is. Children can participate in spin art, hand wax, Speedball--a game that tests the speed of a thrown ball--ring-tossing games and a gyro fun-house, an air-filled chamber in which children can safely jump and bounce to their heart's delight.
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Campbell, California
