In case you were wondering whether the 39th annual Oktoberfest Denver celebration will be worth the price of parking, consider that the first three hours of the free, two-weekend festival (October 19-21 and 26-28) will feature beer-belly, pretzel-eating, chicken-dancing, keg-rolling and beer-pong competitions. Chew over the fact that the price of beer ($5) has not changed since 1998. Make note of the inaugural Long Dog Derby, a six-division wiener-dog race benefiting the Colorado Dachshund Rescue. And pay special attention to the 10K/5K Das Hustlehoff, a run/walk event that encourages participants to channel their inner Knight Rider.
Wait. What?
“The man is an icon in Germany — people love him,” says event director Margaret Ebeling of David Hasselhoff. “Why? I’m not sure, but I say let’s celebrate him, too. Let’s have a beer, run around the block and yell, ‘Yo, Hasselhoff, you’re so sexy!’ That’s the whole vibe we’re trying to capture.”
Capture beer, bratwurst, lederhosen and live music beginning today at 5 p.m. All of the action takes place on Larimer Street between 20th and 22nd streets, in the Ballpark neighborhood; get more information, including a full schedule of events, at www.oktoberfestdenver.com or by calling 303-685-8143.
Fridays, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; Saturdays, 11-1 a.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Starts: Sept. 19. Continues through Sept. 28, 2008
