Annual beer fest will occur but with social distancing practiced throughout area

By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

Downtown Berlin will celebrate a socially-distanced Oktoberfest as well as its annual Fall Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, which will bring a larger volume of markdowns on apparel, jewelry and house- made products at the local businesses.

(Oct. 15, 2020) “Oans, zwoa, drei, g’suffa!” as the Bavarians say during Oktoberfest. It’s also an expression local beer lovers might employ — “One, two, three, drink!” —  during the ninth annual Oktoberfest in Berlin this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The town will celebrate a socially distanced Oktoberfest in addition to its annual Fall Sidewalk Sale. Admission is free.

“All of the modifications that were made by Mayor (Gee) Williams and the Director of Economic Development Ivy Wells will stand for Oktoberfest,” said newly elected Mayor Zackery Tyndall.

Oktoberfest is Tyndall’s first town event as mayor since he was sworn into office on Tuesday.

“I would hope that we could still have a decent turnout because it is an economic driver for our small businesses,” Tyndall said. “I also hope that everybody wears their masks and practices social distancing measures that are recommended by the governor’s office.”

Wells said everything will be spaced out throughout town to permit social distancing.

“Tables will be outside for the sidewalk sale and there will be no parking on Main Street or the side streets (roads will not be closed to traffic though),” she said. “We’re calling this a mingle and move event! We will have hand-sanitizing stations and lots of places all over town to enjoy your Oktoberfest eats and sweets.”

Big Al Reno from Ocean 98 radio will be spinning Oktoberfest music throughout the day, Wells added.

Baked Dessert Cafe on Bay Street will offer pretzels, strudel and German Chocolate Cake, while The Atlantic Hotel on South Main Street will sell grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut and whole mustard gravy on a pretzel hoagie roll served with cup o’ Bavarian lentil soup, fish & chips, cod, slaw and tartar. Island Creamery, 120 N. Main St., will have a German Chocolate Cake flavored ice cream.

J&M Meat Market & Grille, 101 William St., will set up a tent on the corner of its parking lot, serving knockwurst sausage and sauerkraut, beer brats, pulled barbecue chicken sandwiches, chips, deli pickles, chocolate chip cookies, brownies and soft drinks.

Gilbert’s Provisions, 116 N. Main St., will offer brats, and The Buzz Meadery will sell apple “cysers,” a type of mead made with apple cider and honey, at a tent next to Baked Dessert Café. It will have traditional apple cyser and spiced apple cyser available.

The Atlantic Hotel and Fins on Main Street will use their outdoor bar space to sell beer. Sisters Wine Bar, 113 N. Main Street, will have wine tastings from 12-3 p.m.

East and Main Shore Supply and Apparel on North Main Street will host an Oktoberfest beer tasting along with discounts on apparel.

In addition, Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., is hosting a soup and bake sale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be vendors on the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum lawn during the festivities, including Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Young Living, Arbonne, Artisan Aromas, Norwex, Usbourne Books and DVTD/Premier Designs.

For the Fall Sidewalk Sale, Stuart’s Antiques on Pitts Street is offering 10 to 50 percent off everything in its back room and half price on all ginger snap necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. This includes both large and petite snaps. In addition, all fine jewelry will be 10 to 25 percent off.

House will have a patio sale in front of the shop, 111 Artisan’s Way, with discounts on décor and furniture. Beach Gypsy, 15 William St., is having specials up to 70 percent off as well as giveaways, while Beach Memories on North Main Street is offering 15 percent off jewelry and special Oktoberfest bracelets and necklaces.

Bruder Hill, 25 Commerce St., will have a buy one, get one free sale on summer clothing while Bruder Home on North Main Street will offer 50 percent off select items.

In addition, Health Freedom, 12 Artisan’s Way, will have 10 percent off all Health Freedom house-made products, such as pain salve, massage oil, Epsom soak, topical roll-on and organic hemp nervine tea blend.

Artists booths, including Love Letters design studio, will be set up near House and Health Freedom.

Also, Bleached Butterfly, 3 Pitts St., will display a fall photo backdrop for the festivities.

During the event, The Greyhound Independent Bookstore and Fine Arts Gallery, 9 S. Main St., will host book signings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Pamella A. Russell, the author of “Adventures of the Saci Kids: A New Home,” Ellen Krawczak, author of “Ollie Gives a Hoot,” and Karen St. James, the novelist of “Ocean Pines.”

Although Oktoberfest officially ends at 5 p.m., Don Hall and The Main Street Blues with special guest Hal Chernoff will keep the festivities going at Sister Wine Bar with a performance from 7-9 p.m.

For more information, visit https://fb.me/e/4KTSmFdH4.