Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest in Oldsmar this weekend

The 19th annual Top o' the Bay Oktoberfest is Friday, Oct 23 - Sunday, Oct 25 at Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack.

The 19th annual Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest is Friday, Oct 23 – Sunday, Oct 25 at Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack. Credit: Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

There are October festivals and then there are Oktoberfests, and Oldsmar’s annual Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest definitely belongs in the latter category.

Known as one of the biggest and longest-running events of its kind in the area, the 19th edition of the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce event “brings a touch of Bavaria” to the area this weekend at the Tampa Bay Downs racetrack.

As big as the event has been for so many years, routinely drawing over 10,000 of beer-and-brat loving patrons, organizers believe this year’s event could be the biggest one yet, especially if the forecast for ideal weather holds up.

“The tent we have this year is huge, about 85 feet by 180 feet, and can hold roughly 900 people,” UTBCC’s Mark Howe told Oldsmar Connect. “And I think we’ve got something like 150 kegs.”

“It’s going to be packed. But it’s always packed.”

Some of the highlights of the festival include live music and dance troupe performances, fun skills contests such as barrel-rolling, stein holding, log sawing and keg tossing, and, of course, plenty of authentic food and drink, from German sausage and Hofbrahaus chicken to Rhein wines and Munich beers.

Scene for a recent Top of the Bay Oktoberfest. Credit: Top o' the Bay Oktoberfest/Facebook

Scene from a recent Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest. Credit: Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest/Facebook

In addition, a carnival and midway will be set up on the festival grounds, and the event will also feature arts and crafts shows, merchandise vendors and rides for the kids.

And if those aren’t enough reasons to pull on your lederhosen, grab your fraulein and head to the Downs, maybe having a beer handed to you by an Oldsmar City Council member will do the trick.

“Stop by Saturday at the City Council beer tent,” Mayor Doug Bevis said during his Mayor’s Minute at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night.

“We will be working from 11:00 to 5:00…so come by and see us.”

If you go:

  • What: UTBCC 19th annual Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest
  • When: Friday, Oct. 23, 5p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24, 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 25, noon – 7:00 p.m.
  • Where: Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack, 11225 Racetrack Rd., Tampa
  • Details: “Oktoberfest brings the best of Old Bavaria and new Florida together for three full days of authentic German food, drink, music and dancing along with a spectacular carnival & midway, a great arts & crafts show, and the wildest array of audience participation contests that the Tampa Bay area has ever seen!”
  • Cost: $5.00 admission, military and children under 12 free; free parking
  • Info: Call 813-855-4233 or visit utbchamber/events/Oktoberfest or Facbook.com/TopOfTheBayOktoberfest

One Response
  1. Don Pratt, Land O Lakes 7 years ago

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *