Minster Oktoberfest

 

A guide to the Minster Oktoberfest

in Ohio, USA

Minster in Ohio, USA, is home to the world’s largest yogurt plant.

But that ain’t the beverage that swells the village’s population almost 30-fold one weekend in October.

The population of the agricultural village booms from under 3000 to about 80,000 for the festival, making Minster's the second-biggest Oktoberfest celebration in the state of Ohio (after Cincinnati).

The Minster Journeyman’s Club (the Jaycees) and the Kiwanis volunteer group started the festival in 1975.

Minster has proud German roots. It was named after a city in Germany and settled by German immigrants who came via Cincinnati.
The Minster Oktoberfest runs for from Friday to Saturday on the first weekend of October.

Events and entertainment

CHEERS: A couple enjoy the Oktoberfest in Minster. Pic: dumpingpixels

A Minster Oktoberfest highlight is the 10k (6.2mi) run which draws contestants from around the world.

The route follows country roads around Minster and is darn flat and darn straight. You can see a map of it here.

In 2010 the fastest man finished with a time of 29:35 and the fastest woman came in at 34:15.

Other, less exhausting events include a car show, a Little Miss Oktoberfest pageant, and popular beer tray relay race.

One of the final events is the Oktoberfest Parade which winds its way around the village streets on Sunday afternoon.

There is a strong community feeling with Minster-based groups and schools working together to create floats for the parade.
German polka bands are there to keep toes taping and an arts and craft show showcases the region’s handiwork.

More information

Where? The Oktoberfest Minster takes place in the village park of Minster, Ohio, USA.
When? The 2011 event runs from September 30 to October 2.
How much? Entry to the festival is free.
The Oktoberfest Minster website is at www.minsteroktoberfest.com
Get involved You can find applications forms to have an arts and craft stand, take part in the run or the car show on the Oktoberfest Minster website here

Oktoberfest Index

Suggested pages Read about other Oktoberfest parties around the world. Go from Minster Oktoberfest to Destination Munich Home