Will there be beer?
This has been the question on most people’s minds ever since the Hamilton Post broke the news in April that Hamilton Township would be combining its two annual fall events into one new event called “Oktoberfest.” That initial Facebook post received 102 shares and 61 comments, with many people upset at the demise of Septemberfest, a 35-year tradition in the township. In the intervening months, disappointment about Septemberfest’s absence has faded, but the dissatisfaction of the brew crew hasn’t.
Because the answer to their question is, “No, there will not be beer at Oktoberfest.” This, of course, is like saying, “There will be no pizza at DeLorenzo’s.”
The township had plenty of alternatives at its disposal if it wanted to avoid confusion—like Hamilton Fall Festival or even Octoberfest. But on Oct. 15-16 at Veterans Park, we’ll have a dry Oktoberfest. And while we can all agree “Oktoberfest” is a deceptive name, I disagree with the people who have written it off solely for its lack of suds.
The township never has promised anything other than a combining of the elements of Septemberfest and Fall Harvest Fest into one event. If you enjoyed either of those events, you’ll probably like Oktoberfest. If you didn’t, really, would any amount of beer improve the experience?
The event is what it is—pumpkin patches, hayrides, booths featuring community groups and, naturally, lots and lots of candidates for elected office. (Oktoberfest’s position deep in the heart of electoral silly season will guarantee one thing: You may not be able to get buzzed at Oktoberfest, but you’ll certainly get plastered—with “Re-elect Chris Smith” stickers.)
Now, there are plenty of community festivals around that allow the sale of beer. Robbinsville, in the past, had a beer truck at its Community Fest. The Italian-American Festival, Food Truck Fiesta and other events at the Mercer County Festival Grounds also have beer available for purchase. But with beer usually comes “The Pen,” a small, snow fence-encircled patch where captive adults with neon wristbands must sip their domestic brews from clear plastic cups. It doesn’t look like fun. It looks like prison with Miller Lite.
And, at an event spread across 333-acres like Oktoberfest, why confine yourself to a 10-foot-by-10-foot cage? Anyone looking to celebrate their love of beer freely has plenty of opportunities in this area. On Sept. 25, the German-American Club in Hamilton hosted its annual Oktoberfest, which—true to the Bavarian celebration—featured German beer and food. On Oct. 8, the Central Jersey Beer Festival returns to the Mercer County Festival Grounds with more than 100 beers available for tasting.
Perhaps the larger issue is that there was never room for beer in the budget. The township claims it has spent as much on Oktoberfest as it did on Septemberfest and Fall Harvest Fest combined, a total of $55,000. To be fair, fiscal efficiencies were never floated as rationale for the change. Mayor Kelly Yaede has said her administration came to the decision due to parking and crowd control issues at Kuser Farm Park during past Fall Harvest Fests.
Yaede also said the move, concurrently, allows township workers more time to prepare for the township’s Winter Wonderland, a popular event which coincidentally takes place at Kuser Farm Park.
But, that incongruity aside, one would think that taking two large events and combining them into a single large event would allow for monetary savings somewhere. But, alas, that’s not how the math worked out. Trying to figure out why has given me a wicked headache.
Quick, someone hand me a beer.
The fall theming of Kuser Farm Park’s Fall Harvest Fest will carry over to the event that replaced it, Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest will be held the weekend of Oct. 15-16 at Veterans Park. (Photo by Suzette J. Lucas.),
