The Gates will open up at 4pm. and shut down at 12am Every day of Oktoberfest!

Indy Oktoberfest moves to State Fairgrounds

Organizers site central location, facilities as biggest factors 

INDIANAPOLIS – After 33 years in German Park on Indianapolis’ south side, Oktoberfest is headed to the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  The event will be held at the fairgrounds’ Agriculture/Horticulture building and the adjacent parking lot from 4 p.m. to midnight Aug. 29 – 31 and Sept. 5 – 6. 

Produced by the German-American Klub of Indianapolis, Oktoberfest features authentic, traditional German cuisine like frikadellen (German hamburgers), bratwurst, knachwurst, sauerkraut and German-style potato salad.  In addition, a wide variety of German and domestic beers will be available in the popular German Bier and Wein Garten.  Visitors can also enjoy live music, dancing, carnival rides and games like Bingo and Monte Carlo. 

“The main reason for the move is the fairgrounds’ central location, which should allow us to grow the event by attracting more people from the city’s north side,” said Martin Dannemiller, Oktoberfest chairman.  “Not only is the fairgrounds accessible to more people, but the Ag/Hort building gives us protection from poor weather conditions, which we haven’t had in the past.” 

Another benefit is the option for visitors to take the Oktoberfest Train from the Fishers Train Station to the State Fairgrounds.  Indiana Transportation Museum officials will operate the train all five days of the event.  Round-trip tickets are $14 for adults; $9 for children 3 – 12; and free for children 2 and younger. 

The tradition of Oktoberfest dates back to the early 1800s when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Theresa Charlotte Louise of Saxe-Hildburghausen and the city of Munich celebrated for days in grand style.  Indianapolis’ Oktoberfest is the largest such celebration in the state attracting 15,000 people annually. 

Tickets for Oktoberfest are $6 at the gate; $5 in advance; children 10 and younger are free.  Advance tickets are available at the State Fairgrounds ticket office and the German-American Klub at 8602 South Meridian Street.  For more information, contact the German-American Klub at (317) 888-6940 or visit www.indyoktoberfest.com. 

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The Yearly Oktoberfest by the German-American klub has out grown its home location in German park (The Home the GAK) and this year has moved to the Fairgrounds....read more