Bavarian-Inspired Vail Oktoberfest Announces 2023 Celebrations Including Stein Sales and Headliners

Free Two-Weekend Event will Feature Stein Lifting and Keg Throwing Competitions, Bratwurst Eating and Costume Contests, German Music and Fare, and More

GOLDEN, CO  (June 8, 2023) – The award-winning Vail Oktoberfest has announced details of its two-weekend Bavarian extravaganza of competitions, contests, flowing German beer, German delicacies, traditional music and dance, children’s entertainment, and more. This free, family-friendly event, named among the 10 greatest Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S. by USA Today, will be in Vail’s Lionshead Village Sept. 8-10 and Vail Village Sept. 15-17.

The 2023 commemorative steins are on sale now. The highly sought after steins will sell out. The three stein selections include: full 32-oz. liter Large Prost stein ($35), 16-oz. Ceramic Prost stein ($30) and 16-oz. Medium Prost stein ($25). Each stein includes one free beer pour.

“If you can’t make the long journey across the pond to Germany, no doubt the Vail Oktoberfest is the best stateside celebration. For more than 25 years, the Bavarian-inspired town of Vail has created an Oktoberfest destination,” said Vail Oktoberfest Event Director Ryan Slater. “Against the backdrop of the picturesque mountain setting, streets are lined with German beer steins, revelers in lederhosen and dirndls, Bavarian food, traditional Oktoberfest performers and dancers, and bands playing traditional Oktoberfest tunes.”

Vail Oktoberfest hosts a number of festive and free competitions, each with their own prize pack and bragging rights:

• World Keg Bowling Championship: Competitors hurl a keg on wheels at a pyramid of empty kegs. The champion of the day is crowned by total number of kegs knocked over in two throws.
• Bratwurst Eating Contest: The strong-stomached battle it out to see who can devour the most Polidori Sausage Brats in two minutes. 
• Stein Hoisting Competition: Competitors will hold a full liter of Spaten beer stein out from their body at shoulder level. The last person standing will take home a festive Oktoberfest prize package.
• Costume Contest: On one day of each weekend, guests who show up in full Bavarian attire or in another Oktoberfest related costume are invited to participate in the Oktoberfest Costume Contest. There will be divisions for men, women and children with the winners determined by crowd response.

Other entertainment and iconic features includes:

• The live music at Vail Oktoberfest sets the scene for this iconic, high altitude event. Guests will hear an abundance of traditional oom-pah music, courtesy of Oktoberfest mainstays, daily from noon – 9:30 p.m. The music is accompanied by traditional Bavarian dancers who encourage everyone to get in on the fun. This year’s headliners include Vail’s very own Helmut Fricker & The Rhinelanders, Denver Kickers Schuhplatters, The Polkanauts and The Average German Band. 
• Authentic and delicious Bavarian fare will be featured throughout the festival! Enjoy bratwursts, pretzels, schnitzel sandwiches, pierogies, and more. 
• The kinder zone is full of family fun. The event features crafts like pretzel necklace making during the day as well as live children’s entertainment. 
• A full schedule of events for the Oktoberfest in Lionshead will be released in July.

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About Vail Oktoberfest

Vail Oktoberfest returns this September in a two-weekend Bavarian extravaganza of competitions, costume contests, German delicacies, traditional music and dance, children’s entertainment and more. The free, family-friendly event, named among the 10 greatest Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S. by USA Today, will be in Lionshead Village Sept. 9-11 and Vail Village Sept. 16-18. Vail Oktoberfest is produced by Team Player Productions, the architects of Breckenridge Wine Classic, Vail Craft Beer Classic and Denver Burger Battle, among others. For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit oktoberfestvail.com, or follow @vailoktoberfest on Instagram and Facebook.

About Team Player Productions

Founded more than 25 years ago in Denver, Team Player Productions (TPP) has produced and managed more than 400 events around the country, raising more than $2 million for its various nonprofit partners. TPP has created and continues to produce beloved annual events including Vail Wine Classic, Breckenridge Wine Classic and Vail Craft Beer Classic, and adopted others, such as Denver Burger Battle and the Boulder Creek Festival. The company was also the originator of events including Taste of Fort Collins, Steamboat Wine Festival and Park City Food & Wine Classic. TPP consults and produces events for a portfolio of clients as well, such as Goose Island Beer Co., Blue Point Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company, Red Bull, City of Centennial, Anheuser-Busch, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and City of Littleton. For more information, visit TPPEvents.com, or follow @TPPEvents on Facebook and @TeamPlayerProductions on Instagram.