Every year in late September, as autumn hits the German city of Munich, the city erupts into the world’s largest beer festival. Long white tents house neat rows of picnic tables, the sounds of polka bands bounce over the crowd, and the smell of freshly baked pretzels, sizzling sausages, and malty lagers drifts through the air. For two rowdy weeks, Oktoberfest is a celebration, not just of beer, but of gathering, tradition, and raising a stein with neighbors and strangers alike. This year, that tradition is making its way to Garrettsville, Ohio.
Sean and Sondra Varner have already paved the way for an event like this with the success of their St. Patricks day celebration based in Sean’s Pub, in which they sell hundreds of pounds of corned beef, pints of green beer, and for that one morning each year, even serve breakfast — complete with over easy eggs and plates of corned beef hash — to crowds that spill out onto Main Street. This is an event that draws in thousands every year, and has been bringing the town together for over 20 years. This year they want to recreate that magic on September 20th.
The Varner’s opened Two Travellers Tavern in 2018 as a way to share with the town some of their favorite meals and drinks from their travels around the globe. A recent event menu included fried bombas from Spain, Italian zucchini pasta, and banoffee pie from Ireland. This Oktoberfest party will be another opportunity to share what they experienced during their time in Germany during the last Oktoberfest.
This event will include an all-new German-inspired menu consisting of house-made bratwurst, savory currywurst, and even pretzels baked by a German chef based in Cleveland. Oktoberfest beers will be available and served in heavy steins to those who want to really get in the spirit! All the while, polka bands will be playing their beautiful brass, drums, and — maybe most importantly — the accordion in Slim and Jumbo’s Bar and Grill. There will even be a “roaming accordion” player for a few hours bringing the music around the whole town! If you followed that festive musician out of the doors of Slim’s, what should you expect to see in town? Happy you asked.
Main Street will be blocked off for the day to make way for one of Garrettsville’s well-known classic car shows. Rows of hot rods and vintage cruisers will line the street for visitors to scope out (maybe while finishing up a sausage?), with local owners on hand to talk about their vehicles. On the opposite end of Main St., Garretts Mill Brewing Company will be pouring its seasonal Oktoberfest lager alongside its other small-batch creations, giving residents the chance to enjoy both the traditional flavors of Germany and the creativity of a homegrown Ohio brewery.
For the Varners, this drives home the point of Oktoberfest. They want this event to feel like they are back in Germany for the day.
“We wanted to bring a real Oktoberfest experience to Garrettsville, the food, the beer, the music, all of it. At the end of the day, it’s about giving people a place to gather, celebrate, and just enjoy themselves. We’re excited to share it with the community that supports us.” says Mrs. Varner.
Like the Summerfest or St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Garrettsville knows how to throw more than just a party. Whether you’re here for the food, the beer, or the classic cars, you won’t want to miss the village’s first big Oktoberfest on September 20.
