HOLY SCHNITZEL! OKTOBERFEST ATLANTA 2019 IS BACK!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/3/19

Featuring Local Artists GREG MIKE as Ceremonial Keg Tapper and
Karen Anderson Singer of Tiny Doors ATL Appearance

Historic Fourth Ward Park

Friday, October 11th and Saturday, October 12th

Oktoberfest Atlanta, produced by Atlanta Sport and Social Club, will be back for 2019 in Historic Fourth Ward Park on Friday, October 11 from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm and Saturday, October 12 from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. In celebration of all things German, the festival is in its fourth year and will be bigger than ever with more food vendor choices and multiple Oktoberfest-style beer tents throughout the park–absolutely no shortage of frosty brews for ticket holders. The celebration is the largest German festival to take place in Atlanta — a tremendous party complete with live polka music, popular food vendors, costumes, and even a dog parade. The festival will attract approximately 7,000 attendees over the two days — up from 5,000 in 2018.

This year local Atlantans and nationally recognized artists GREG MIKE, founder and creative director of AVE Agency and Gallery and Karen Anderson Singer, Principal Artist and Director of Tiny Doors ATL, will collaborate artistically with Oktoberfest. GREG MIKE has been named Ceremonial Keg Tapper while Karen Anderson Singer will also make an appearance.

“We love the cultural experience that Oktoberfest Atlanta brings to our city. It is a fusion of traditional Oktoberfest experiences such as the ceremonial keg tapping, with a hint of creative, Atlanta-style fun such as the pretzel toss! We are thrilled that we have grown our attendees in our 4th year, and we look forward to continuing the festival’s growth, partnerships with local nonprofits, local and national polka bands, German food, and games.” shares Catie Schreiman, Director of Events, Atlanta Sport and Social Club.

Oktoberfest guest experiences include three different beer gardens including official Oktoberfest craft beer sponsor Bell’s Brewing Beer Garden,Spaten Franziskaner Brau Biergarten — one of the original Oktoberfest beers of Germany — featuring four Spaten varieties, Oktoberfest Optimizer Lager, and Dunkel and a German Bier Garden with assorted German beers. In addition, Michelob Ultra, Bon & Viv Sparkling Seltzer, and craft cocktails including Bulleit Bourbon, Lunazul Tequila, Smirnoff Vodka, as well as various wines will be flowing from an Airstream trailer.

This year, Bud Light will sponsor a premium College Football Viewing Experience. The bar has a handful of built-in, flat screen televisions and a giant 12’x7.5′ LED display for guests to enjoy the college football games.

For those active guests, there will be an abundance of games including Oktoberfest competitions such as stein hoisting contests, the brawt toss, keg roll racing, the pretzel toss, and a whimsical dog parade.

German-inspired food for purchase will include Atlanta BBQ pros Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q featuring a specially made Oktoberfest Dog with house sauerkraut, apples, and Arches Brewing Pilsner with chutney garnish. As well as family owned and operated Woodstock Pretzel Company, Petite Violette who will be serving up Schnitzel, sauerkraut, and potato salad — plus many more!
Also, a new addition to the festival, thanks to The German Cultural Foundation, culinary vendor, The German Food, will fly in from the homeland and participate with a limited, authentic menu.

Live music includes national act, LynnMarie & The Nashville Polka Guys — LynnMarie is in the Polka National Hall of Fame, Sherri & Larry AKA “The Gluckliches Trio,” Bob Planner (solo accordionist), and local Atlanta acts,Ty Reynolds Band and All The Locals. Plus, DJ OneNate will perform throughout on both days.

Local nonprofit support is an important focus for festival owners Atlanta Sport and Social Club. Several nonprofits will benefit from ticket sales including, Releash Atlanta, Concrete Jungle, Junior Chamber International Atlanta Chapter, and Playworks GA. Releash Atlanta has been a continuous partner with the festival for the last three years. They are a 501c3, not for profit, 100% volunteer run, charitable organization that focuses on saving dogs from high kill shelters throughout our state. Since the organization operates solely on donations and volunteers, it is a prime choice for the festival to support.

HOW TO GET YOUR TICKETS

Oktoberfest Atlanta tickets are available at TICKETS
Bier Lovers Pass $56 per person 21+
  •    Single Day Wristband Entry to Oktoberfest Atlanta
  •    Commemorative Glass 25 oz Beer Stein
  •    (4) 25oz Beer Tickets
  •    Souvenir Sunglasses
Day Pass $19
  •    Entry to Oktoberfest Atlanta
  •    Souvenir 22 oz Beer Stein
  •    First Beer included
Table Package for 8 Guests $500
  •    Table of 8 Reserved in the German Bier Garden
  •    Entry for 8 Oktoberfest Atlanta
  •    (8) 25 oz Beer Stein
  •    First Beer included for everyone
DD – Designated Driver Pass $10 (Ages 16 to 20)

2019 DULUTH BEER AND WINE FESTIVAL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/3/19

Duluth Town Green

Saturday, October 5th at Noon

The City of Duluth is teaming up with Atlanta Sport and Social Club to host a celebration of Beer and Wine on the Duluth Town Green. Join us on Saturday, October 5th from 12:00pm-5:00pm to sample 75+ craft beers and 25+ wines. The day will feature live local music from Citizen Gold and The Night Howlers, beer and wine samples, a variety of local food trucks, an adult game zone, plus community vendors and artists.

Tickets include souvenir tasting glass, admission to the event, live music, and all beer and wine samples. They are $36 at the time of posting and will increase as we get closer to the festival.

Ticket site and more information:

https://www.duluthbeerandwinefest.com/

https://www.bigtickets.com/events/assc/duluth-beer-and-wine-festival

Best of Dragon Con Saturday and Sunday 2019

Supernatural Group Shot, Meeting Harvey Guillen, Hilton Dance Party Part Deux, and Our Top 10 Groups, Costumes, or Cosplays

On Saturday, we headed to a Supernatural panel staring Sebastian Roche, DJ Qualls, Kim Rhodes, Samantha Smith, and surprise guest Ruth Connell. She didn’t have a seat so she sat in Kim Rhodes’ lap until they got her one. DJ Qualls came up with a game for us to play during the panel and the prize was an 18k gold tooth brush. I’m not sure it really was 18k gold, but there was a toothbrush he pulled out of his bag. How to play: everyone who asked a question picked a number and whoever was closest to the number he pre-picked won it. There was one lady who dressed up for the day as Mary Winchester in full nightgown and all and she ended up winning. Sounds perfect to us. They also discussed their favorite episodes, which included Baby, French Mistake, Regarding Dean, and Party On, Garth. A fan recently participated in GISH Mischa Collins’ (Castiel) charity that is the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt. We personally hadn’t heard about this and looked it up. Wow! Those are some daredevils that do these “tasks!” All the cast members said that they had done it. Interesting.

On Sunday night, we were walking out of the Hilton after watching a huge dance party when we walked into Harvey Guillen who was coming in the side door. I (Liz) recognized him and he was talking to another fan. When they were done, I went up and shook his hand and told him we loved him in What We Do in the Shadows as Guiermo and he was very nice. We haven’t seen the original “documentary” but he said was more of the same, but urged us to watch it. Maybe we will now that Harvey wants us to watch it! REALLY wanted to ask him about his character’s twist on the show, but we’re sure he couldn’t divulge anything.

Hilton Dance Party Part 2 on Sunday was bigger, “badder,” and even more blow-up costumes. So, it all comes full circle as we ended up back at the Hilton for an huge dance party that erupted into a dozen dinosaurs, one very large Chewbacca, several Pikachu, even a group of Pac Man ghosts. What a way to end Dragon Con 2019 with all these characters from all the genres dancing together to Party in the USA. Personally, can’t stand the song, but it was fun to watch.

Our top 10 Groups, Costumes, or Cosplays (no particular order):