Had a great time at Oktoberfest this year. In my mind, Mount Angel is the one and only top quality Oktoberfest around here. I've gone to others and assist us a disappointment after going to Mount Angel. I've come here every year for at least 15 years maybe longer. Thank you to the city officials for putting on such a great event. read more

Mt Angel Oktoberfest is a yearly event full of celebration for the harvest, as well as a 3 day celebration of the first Oktoberfest held in Munich in 1810 celebrating the marriage of King Ludwig of Bavaria. It also is a celebration of beer. This event draws thousands of visitors. This event also draws religious visitors to St. Mary's Catholic Church built in 1910, and the Mt Angel Abbey that was founded in 1882. The festival is a huge event for Mt Angel as it also draws in a lot of vendors selling handmade goods, foods and drink. There is a pavilion playing traditional German music as well as a Maypole Dance done by youngsters in full German regalia such as Lederhosen for men and Dirndl Kleid for the women. There are also car shows and military vehicles on display, a large playground area with carnival type rides for the children. Parking is difficult to find, but somehow we always manage to find a spot on the side streets or just pay to park in one of the nearby fields. There is also a free tractor pulled shuttle wagon that makes continuous rounds from the festivities up to the abbey and back. As always, the brats, corn on the cob, elephant ears.... Delicious! read more

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Oktober you glad I didn't say fest.... Had a bratwurst and was very disappointed to say the least. If I wanted to wait in lines all day I could have gone to the DMV!!! Someone said the liked me hat tho so that was cool I guess. read more

Mount Angel Oktoberfest - Silly hat - Festivals Near Me - Mount Angel, Oregon

It's been over a decade since the last time I was at Mount Angel Oktoberfest. Here are some things I wish I would have known before returning. It's bigger than you think. Literal blocks separate the event areas. There are shuttles to move you between areas, but they are walkable if you like to hoof it. The kiddie area is free! There are small carnival rides that are free for kids under a certain age, but it closes earlier than the rest of the event (I think it was 5pm, but double check that). We got there right at the end and our kids weren't able to ride any rides, but they did get ice cream from a food truck (food not free, sorry) and they enjoyed that very much. Next time we go back, we will hit up this kiddie area first and explore the rest of the event after. The church is spectacular. There are different events in the church throughout the festival. We saw men playing the Alpenhorn and it was Devine (see what I did there?). All you have to do is ask. The alpenhorn group finished their performance and as they were outside packing up, some folks asked for a try. They allowed these guests to try their alpenhorns and it looked so fun! What a cool experience for them! You can't get a drink without being inside the beer halls. There are several halls throughout the main Oktoberfest area. Each have a different name, and different things happening inside and they all look fun. But it's the only place to get a beer or a glass of wine. There is a charge to get in, and you can come and go as you like, but we couldn't find any place that was simply serving up a pint. (There was maybe one hidden tent behind the food vendors, but we didn't get a good look inside - so maybe a bit more exploring would prove this statement wrong). Perhaps this is because of open container / liquor laws, but I heard quite a few people complaining about it. While they may have only wanted 1 beer or a tasting, they would have to buy entrance into a particular area and then battle those crowds. You will battle crowds. There's. A. Lot. Of. People. Of course there's a lot of people! But everyone is in a great mood, and very excited to be there. A very fun, happy, party vibe. If you want to see a special event, like singing or dancing in the town center, get there early for a seat and wait, because space fills up quickly and folks were standing on retaining walls just to catch a peek. Event sponsored souvenirs are less expensive than the real thing. There are plenty of vendors selling high quality trachten for $50 or more, but you can get a souvenir quality hat, pin, etc at a small booth near the clock tower. This was perfect for our kids who desperately wanted a hat, but we didn't want to pay for a handcrafted piece of master workmanship for them to sit on twenty minutes later. Parking is crazy! Just pull into the first parking you find because if you loop around, it's gonna be gone. We found a church selling space in their parking lot and it was a total score. Not only were there people there monitoring the parking area, but they gave us free cookies and they were so nice and super welcoming. I'm so glad we drove the compact car instead of the minivan because spaces can be tight when parking is at a premium. You're going for the food right? Because we were. The food area was not difficult to navigate, but it was hard to choose which to try. We ultimately ended up going with a very large tented area that had a large menu because we could get all of the variety of things our large group wanted by standing in one line instead of running to 3 or 4 different food carts. What we got in convenience, we probably paid for in quality. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't, like, "wow". We got some brats, fries, a soft pretzel with cheese, and drinks. Next time, we will probably take the extra time to visit more than one food vendor because some of the food looked so yummy. So you want to sit while you eat? We sat on the ground under a tree to eat because there were NO seating areas available. There were seating areas present, but they were hopelessly full. After trudging around looking for a spot, and realizing that no one at a table was willing to give up their shaded seats, even after finishing their food, we plopped ourselves onto the pavement. As your weird uncle says, "the ground will hold anybody". We would love to go again, especially with a little more knowledge about the event. read more

Mount Angel Oktoberfest - Festivals Near Me - Mount Angel, Oregon

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Every year amazing can you think of a better Oktoberfest. Every year we have to come down to Mount Angel for the Oktoberfest it is absolutely iconic and if you're living in the area it's a Moscow don't get me wrong. I love Leavenworth and I love the Germantown there but as far as bang for your buck, big old festivities, Mount Angel will always be the Crown Jewel of this area. We come just about every year and I never disappointed with all of the little activities for adults or kids throwing together such a great time to find community and have fun doing so. Little upset we didn't get to see the wiener dog races like we did last year , but we still have lots of fun, especially for the kids in the Kidzone, which is always off the hook and always absolutely free Such a great time for the whole family I couldn't imagine not coming very grateful for everything this community go through every year have all of us come down there and have fun read more

Mount Angel Oktoberfest - Festivals Near Me - Mount Angel, Oregon

I am completely amazed by the grandeur of Mount Angel Oktoberfest! The little town of Mount Angel produces a remarkably large scale production with multiple beer gardens, each including their own entertainment. Though I've lived in the Portland area most of my life, today was my first time attending this impressive festival. Everyone seems to get into the spirit of Oktoberfest with festive costumes, fun games, countless exhibits and vendors, and entertainers everywhere you look. My favorite act was a hipster polka band from Ohio who performed in the Weingarten on Thursday night. They were so much fun, the crowd really got into the spirit by dancing and raising glasses in high energy. I was disappointed the Kindergarten wasn't available Thursday evening, and most of the famous activities like yodeling contests and wiener dog races occur only on the weekend. Oh, well! That gives me something to look forward to next year! There were more than enough activities to keep me occupied this time around. Be prepared for a large crowd, and long times for food vendors. The $15 garden pass is a must as it allows you somewhere to relax and enjoy the entertainment while you eat your meal and sample the many beer options available. Also, splurge if you can and pay for parking. It's nearly impossible to find free and convenient parking nearby. read more

Mount Angel Oktoberfest - Opening night of Oktoberfest! - Festivals Near Me - Mount Angel, Oregon

Went opening day. Always the best Oktoberfest in Oregon. My Angel has food, shopping, rest areas and FOOD! Buy a wrist band. Look ahead to choose your bands. My personal favorite for over 14 years is Chardon Polka Band! read more

We've been annual customers for 18 years! Since before kids we've made the trek to enjoy amazing food carts, fun chicken dances and crafts. Our favorite craft booths are gone including the wooden weapon guy and the personalized ornament lady. But got to Visit the Kindergarten area and the rides are still free!! Great for kids. Love the teeny train! Come for the food carts! Favorites this year was the old Russian beef pelmeni and Dairy Women. Miss the fresh corn from the firefighters. Great tradition! read more

Terrible experience. The security staff were very rude and unprofessional. They kept checking IDs over and over, after the wristband verification. The day was ruined because of them and it was just a waste of money. I absolutely do not recommend read more

My wife and I look forward to Mount Angel's Oktoberfest every year, despite neither of us being big beer guzzlers. Although, as our friends can attest, with our regular trips here, as well as Leavenworth, WA, there must be some Bavarian blood in our veins somewhere! In the "off-season", Mount Angel is a sleepy, out of the way village with rich heritage: it is the site of a Benedictine abbey/monastery/seminary, a gorgeous Catholic cathedral, an enchanting Glockenspiel, and several other callbacks to its European roots. But during the festival months (mid-September, as well as Volksfest in the spring), the town swells by an order of magnitude, as myriad tourists from all over the region pour in, and myriad mugs and steins are poured into as well. For four days, the town churns and seethes with activity, steadily bubbling up and filling every beer garden, event hall and patio, becoming a frothing mass of humanity that eventually spills over into side street and alley. Friday and Saturday nights become a madhouse of drunken singing, chicken dances, accordions, keytars, polka, and endless cries of "Prosst!" from every corner of the village! There are five major event spaces: the Biergarten, Weingarten, Alpinegarten, Hopgarten and Prostgarten, scattered throughout the handful of blocks where the Oktoberfestivities take place. Along the way, you'll find food carts offering a variety of traditional Bavarian festival foods, as well as some decidedly non-traditional options. You'll also encounter several artisan tents, purveying anything from street stall standards such as beef jerky and hot sauce, to handmade clothing, jewelry, flowers, candy, arts and crafts, and a whole lot more. Additionally, a handful of year-round shops and restaurants based in Mount Angel do the heavy lifting when it comes to the offering Oktoberfest essentials: Mount Angel Sausage Co, Touch of Bavaria, Angel Mountain Christmas, and the always exceptional (and recently revived from the dead) Glockenspiel restaurant! If you need a bratwurst, a dirndl, and/or some ornaments for the holiday season now looming on the horizon, these should be your erste wahl! Everyone says parking can be a nightmare, but I found a spot a couple blocks north of St. Mary's Cathedral, less than a 5 minute walk from town square, and even left to visit the Abbey for a few hours, returning and reclaiming the exact same spot, so I don't know what people are complaining about. Ein Prosit! to one of the best annual events in the PNW! Not only do you get some serious bang for your buck. A $20 all-day wristband (for Saturday; other days are cheaper; an all-weekend pass is also available) gets you access to all the aforementioned event venues and most of the provided live music, but honestly, there's plenty enough to do without it. Even so, I'd still recommend it, because events like Oktoberfest are all about community and brotherhood: something that has suffered greatly in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Celebrations like this have been sorely missed, and should be cherished and enjoyed by all, more than ever before. So vaxx up, mask up, and raise a pint to your family, your friends, your neighbors, your community, your country, and your heritage...Bavarian or otherwise! Prosst! read more

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It's the food people. The different taste the different ways food is prepared. The endless flavors available. There seems to be everything from breakfast to snacks to lunch to dinner. You can tell which ones are good because they have a line. Well every food cart at this festival had a line. Not just because of the crowds of people because everyone had good food. Something unique and something the same at a lot of them. Sausage and sauerkraut are everywhere. Then there are little treasures like donuts and cakes, cookies, drinks from frozen to sno cones to freshly squeezed. Tacos, to corn to schnitzel pierogi's and more. Sure there are arts and crafts and beer tents all around a huge area. You walk around and take it all in. It's a cornucopia of stimulation for the senses. Worth the time and the walk to see it all. Plan on walking. The cost to get into the halls and gardens has risen significantly since I was last there. Pay 20 just to get in and there is not always a band playing. I don't know if that is worth it to pay them 10 for a beer. Just my take. read more

Mount Angel Oktoberfest - Sausage and Sauerkraut from the 20 year old recipe Delicious - Festivals Near Me - Mount Angel, Oregon

It's cute little town, with 3 unique churches, very close to each other. I like the Abbey a little more with it's location on a hill, scenic view, peace, serenity. The sleepy hollow comes to life in Oktoberfest. read more

Mount Angel Oktoberfest - Festivals Near Me - Mount Angel, Oregon

awesome little German town in Oregon for Oktoberfest. great beers, food, and music. There are so many bands, vendors, and food to choose from. And if your a beer or wine fan, they have so many selections around the event. Oh try to make it to the Olympics. :) read more

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The mt. Angel October festival was a wonderful event. Today it only offers bad carnival food. No more fried apples, no real homemade food anymore. Just tacos with lettuce, nachos with fake cheese. The very best part is the kids play area, but to drive 2 hours for a jump house is not worth it. read more

We feel so lucky to have a large-scale Oktoberfest outside of Germany. What fun!!! When you buy a ticket you can go to all the entertainment venues. It's a place to eat your delicious German ( yes carnival and non German too) food while the bands entertain. They'll lead you through toasts, the chicken dance, polkas, and lots of great German (and some non-German) music. There is a dance floor. Take part and have fun! We had the chicken schnitzel sandwich from St. Mary's, the bratwurst, smoked bratwurst, spicy chicken wurst , and pretzel with cheese dip from Mount Angel Sausage Company, and a smoked turkey leg from a vendor at the entrance. We enjoyed every bite! Walk around the whole area to scope out what you want to eat. Don't forget to bring cash. They accept cards but there is a convenience fee. read more

Had the time of my life at Oktoberfest this past weekend! Drank tons of beer, ate my body weight in soft pretzels, enjoyed some bbq chicken and had a classic German bratwurst. Definitely recommend watching the wiener dog race that was an absolute blast. I paid $20 for a single day ticket and that'll get you into the main venue halls with all the live music and beers on tap. Keep in mind you'll still have to pay for all the beer and food on top of the ticket price. There were tons of vendors to browse and a plethora of additional beer gardens sprinkled throughout. Also make sure you bring cash! A lot of the vendors were having issues with their card readers. The town of Mt Angel really goes all out for Oktoberfest. I definitely plan on going every year! read more

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What a fun time October fest on steroids! I gets crowded and parking can be difficult. Mt. Angel is a great community.

Mt. Angel Oktoberfest is simply Wunderbar! Everyone loves it here- from kids to adults to groups of friends. It's the perfect way to welcome fall each year. We've been with our kids when they were younger we've been with our Adult kids, we've been with friends. It's great just looking at all the booths and walking around with gemütlichkeit and sampling all the German food to eat. We so enjoy the German music and we started going to the Tents and listening to the fun music when we went sans little ones! It's one of our favorite traditions each fall!! I'll say it again it's simply Wunderbar read more

I've never been to an Oktoberfest celebration before so I don't have a point of reference, but I did have a whole lot of fun at Mount Angels Oktoberfest. My friends and I showed up on Saturday around 1 PM. We tent camped in a field near the Biergarten. It was a pretty basic set up. Just a big lot with a lot of flagged spots. We had plenty of room for the car and three tents. They had a couple portapotties and a hand washing station. What they didn't have was water which was a running theme for the event. We pitched our tents and headed for the event. Mount Angel Oktoberfest is a lot like a big street fair. The town center is roped off and is full of stalls selling all sorts of food. Some of it was German food like sausages, schnitzel, and strudel, but some of it was just faire food like funnel cake, elephant ears, and a wide assortment of deep fried junk food. There were also lots of stalls selling knick knacks like steins, lederhosen, puppets, and glass blown right before your eyes. However the Gartens were where all the action was. We saw several German themed bands but after a few hours all the accordions, alpine horns, and renditions of the chicken dance all started to blur together. Although it was really easy to get beer, never had to wait longer than a few minutes, it was really difficult to find water. I had my own bottle but I only found one fountain at the entire event to fill it up. Some beer stations filled it for me, but others just refused even though they had big water jugs right there. With the heat and excessive drinking, the lack of fountains seems like a real liability. I also wish there were more German beers. There were only two or three German breweries actually represented. The rest were just German style beers from big name breweries like Laurelhurst, Wiedmer, and Becks. Don't forget to bring cash as very few places took cards at the event. Also don't forget, it's a marathon not a sprint. read more

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This is a fun annual event even though I don't drink beer any longer. Parking can be a challenge but you can always pay to park, drive around for a while looking for a spot or ride a motorcycle there, which is what we usually do. The vendors have some really great albeit not all that healthy food. But what the heck, it's just once a year right. Mount Angel is a nice little burb..... usually pretty sleepy except for when Oktoberfest is going on Very handy to Portland. Singing and doing the chicken dance (frequently) is pretty much a requirement.... and expect your lady to have a few sticker on her butt by the time you leave. The event might be a little too out there for young children but it's pretty family oriented. read more

This is a review 15 years in the making. My wife and I have gone to the Mount Angel Oktoberfest 14 out of the last 15 years...missing only last year because...well, we didn't consider the date when we scheduled Disneyland. For the record, our family (even the littles) laments that we missed this annual family tradition. There is so much going on here and even though the crowds continue to get larger and larger...this is a tradition that we are deeply invested in. Starting with the craft fair...so many talented artists from all over designing ornaments, snack foods, delicate glass art, pictures, clothing, etc...then you move into the food court which takes up most of the space here because any non-profit within proximity is allowed to set up food stalls to fund raise for their causes. This leads to a lot of seasonally and occasion specific foods that work (dumplings, cabbage rolls, sausage galore, and more)...but also some oddballs (fish tacos, thai food, bar food staples) and of course family favorites like the Russian Orthodox Church ladies who serve bowls of pelmeni with sour cream and the Oregon Dairy Association Ice Cream! And let's not forget the sausage at the Mt. Angel Sausage Co! Through the years we've seen lots of changes, not all of them for the best. When it comes to sausage, avoid anything from the carts...even though they are cheaper. The Oktoberfest sausage used in every cart had origins in Mt. Angel, however, it has been bastardized into a different link than it was even 12 years ago. It was once juicy and chunk and flavorful. It now has a gritty texture and runs on the dry side. A classic example of a company buying the brand and then changing the ingredients and technique. This year alone we saw the demise of the firefighters awesome locally sourced corn. It was once $1.50/ear for fresh corn practically boiled in butter. Now they thank their sponsor Norpac, who albeit a locally owned company, but I think in the midst of their bankruptcy has turned to providing frozen corn for this affair because at $3/ear...I found it to be a bit too mushy and processed (squared off ends rather than the straight from the field look)...it was a let down. So was our favorite weapons dealer who after many years of stocking my kids with swords, shields, rubber band guns, and such they are closing the business due to family illness and fatigue. They were always so fun to interact with, they will definitely be missed. Other changes that were more favorable were noticed in the down town blocks...new store fronts, renovations of buildings that in previous years had been run down, and restaurants coming back to life. Mt. Angel is a wonderful community with a rich history. I love to see it being rejuvenated as it draws more attention to itself through this festival among other activities! The town is in the midst of change, and as another reviewer has said...so is the festival itself. We went on a Thursday night this year because of other activities that weekend and it was the best experience we've had in recent years due to the smaller crowd. Again, there is the demise of certain staples and their need to reach younger crowds...crowds that I don't really want to be a part of but I can understand the cover bands...but mind you, there are 5 different bier gardens so there will be German bands playing at all times of the day somewhere in this little town. All around, you can expect a wonderful, fun experience that is great for the whole family. Over the course of 15 years, we have found reason to go back every year...yes, it changes but so do we...we went from a dating couple to a family of five...we move on from being 20 something to 40 something...and in the same way, so has the Mt. Angel festival. There is something here for everyone. Just relax and enjoy the festivities! read more

This was my first town-sponsored Oktoberfest and first trip to Mt. Angel. It was a hot weekend at a dusty campsite, but the festival made it well worth it. The town has some parts with Bavarian styled buildings but I was honestly surprised I didn't see more. I guess I was under the impression the theme was much broader. The town square area was pretty great though. There were several gartens set up across the town, each with its own live music, beer variety and slightly different themes. The music plays throughout the day and night for the entire festival. They even have a kindergarten with children's shows. There are tons of food vendors lining the streets severing authentic fare like bratwurst and schnitzel as well as less authentic but still delicious items like onion rings, fried Oreos, and funnel cakes. I ate a little bit of everything until my pockets were empty. There are many beers to choose from. Each brewery of course has it's own Oktoberfest brew. You can purchase tokens at each garten to buy beer and sometimes food. Many spots take cash as well. Finding water isn't always easy. You may have to resort to purchasing bottles, but occasionally they'll pour you a beer and fill your water bottle at the same time. Make sure you drink lots of it so that you can try more beers throughout the day. Go drink, eat, dance, and sing your heart out. You'll definitely have a great time! read more

Mount Angel Oktoberfest - Festivals Near Me - Mount Angel, Oregon

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A brat smothered with homemade curry sauce, sweet hot mustard and grilled onions. Oh, yes, Oktoberfest just keeps getting better and better.

Their are Oktoberfest's and then their is the original Oktoberfest. Started in 1966. This is the best and the original Oktoberfest. Food, beer, food, entertainment, food, games, food and more food. This is a great place to come and celebrate the years harvest. A place to eat, socialize and have fun. I'm a little biased. I grew up in Mt. Angel. I love this little town. If you have a chance to come and celebrate, I would highly recommend it. read more

Mt Angel Oktoberfest is a great opportunity to visit a small town near to Portland. The city has costumed some buildings in Bavarian style. The roads in are congested for the festival. There are several park and ride, paid parking and free parking-walk options from free to $3-5. If you persist in driving to center town, you will be doing it for hours. You can walk faster. What you can do is divided between several pavilions admitted by a $10 wristband which admits to all. The pavilions are themed on Oktoberfest tradition with traditional German performers. The street has vendors supporting local charities by selling food cart food and carnival food from structures with German motifs. There was a field filled with bouncy carnival opportunities, towards which my child self was tempted. Many children and baby carriages fill the streets and byways. Oktoberfest in Germany is a social affair. The best at Mt Angel Oktoberfest is the same. Tent and built pavilions are home to seas of tables under the $10 cover with entertainment, beer and German-themed carnival foods. Suggest exploring the town and surrounds and marking business for reviews in his small burg! Never know when Yelpers may visit! Mt Angel Oktoberfest has the vibe for Portlanders of one of our street fairs. If you are interested in German heritage it is worth a visit. I certainly heard German accents on the street. But German specialty spots in a city will do better on food. read more

This is a great event that if you are able, should take in at least once in your life. German food GALORE! Eat, take a break. Eat, take a break. Repeat several times, top it with a superb car show (The Cruz N Classic), Wiener Dog races, arts, crafts, music etc., and there you have it. Rain or shine, it's always fun and plenty of nice people to share the day with. While there, stop in to Saint Marys Church on the hill to take in a concert and see one of the most beautiful churches that has been restored and remains in use today. You won't be disappointed. Wear comfy shoes as you will walk a lot or ride the no charge tractor and wagon transit system (a hoot!). read more

Every harvest season in Hop Country (e.g. Silverton/Mt. Angel) there is a celebration, a celebration that is probably best where it originated in Munich Germany. However, we all can't just jet off to Europe, well we could actually except the exchange rate on the Euro sucks so bad right now that we just can't afford right now. So in comes Mt. Angel Oregon, a mini Bavarian Hop farming town in the Willamette valley. They host "O'fest" every year for all to join in the celebration of the Hop harvest by drinking, eating and dancing. It's all about having fun. My favorite part of O'fest is the 5K/10K fun run they have through town and past some beautiful farm land. There is more fun to be had there than I can describe to you here so you'll just have to go yourself and experience it. Cheers and Prost! read more

Mount Angel Oktoberfest - Festivals Near Me - Mount Angel, Oregon

Prost! This is defintely a fun way to spend a weekend day, especially if it's nice & sunny out. Here's what you need to know - Lots of people come here. LOTS. And their cars - parking can be tricky. - Get here before 5pm. You have to pay admission to get into the biergartens and it increases by about $5 after 5. - Biergartens are cash only. Spend some time in one of the nearby bars if you want to swipe a card. - There's every single kind of German food. Along with typical festival fair. - If you want to stay overnight, book well in advance! Hotels nearby fill up fast and a cab from Salem runs a good $40. - Music is way fun to bop around too It's definitely family friendly (sans biergartens) & the town is cute to boot. Enjoy. read more

My fiancé and I went the first day so we could avoid the heavy crowds/ lines and had a great time. Pros: German beer of course! Great German music Tasty eats Beer tents Nice local people Get there early and pay less for entrance Parking was easy (first day parking always is) Cons (minus a star) - Not a lot of genuine German food other than the bratwurst and kraut - No games or rides read more

Mount Angel Oktoberfest - Great entertainment - Festivals Near Me - Mount Angel, Oregon

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It's mid-September, 2017, which could only mean one thing - Oktoberfest! Had another really fun experience. Came on a Friday this year and were really glad we did - it still had tons going on but with less crowds. We had a great time at the kids area, grazing for food at all the vendors, and eating at a tucked away restaurant that had delicious wienerschnitzel, red cabbage, spaetzle, apple sauce, mushroom gravy, and grilled onions. Also bought bracelets to hit up the beer halls for the awesome music and dancing. And we also were able to park along the highway instead of in a lot, saving us $5. Can't wait til next year! read more

This wouldn't be something I normally go to. More into wine than beer and I don't eat sausages or red meat. However my boyfriend really wanted to go fyi this, ended up there without me, and later I ended up going there all the way from Gladstone. It is different than I thought it would be in some respects. Crowds and drinking were what I expected. The music was good though and much of it was for the crowds. Great people watching. I was there more for my boyfriend, who was having a great time. There were moments though where I could see why people partake in this event. read more

You know, I'm not usually much of a festival goer. However, I have loved the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest since the first time that I went. It's all ages friendly, quaint, and tons of fun. It truly has something to offer everyone. As you would expect, it gets pretty crowded, especially at night. The small town of Mt. Angel slings it's doors open to welcome the throngs of visitors that flock here yearly. The streets are lined with food and craft goods offered at fare prices. Most of the food booths benefit local charities. I have several favorites, especially one that offers onion rings. So good. Drop a little cash at them. You won't regret it. The beer and wine tents have musicians flown in from Bavaria to play oom pa pa music for your enjoyment. The alcohol vendors only accept tokens that are available for purchase inside. You are welcome to bring in food from any of the booths, and there are long tables to sit, very much like it is in Germany. Young and old alike dress up in dirndl's & lederhosen, and dance. I guess since my family is still in the old country, I love this festival even more. The drive is around an hour, but the scenery of the farm country on the way there is worth it alone. read more

This is my first Oktoberfest and I would highly recommend the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest. Drove down from Portland for the day and it's an easy, hour trip each way (provided there's no traffic). As we went mid-day on Thursday, it was only $4 for the wristband with access to the Biergarten, Weingarten, and Alplinegarten. Keep in mind the wristband increases in price for each day and time (all day before 5pm, and after 5pm). I'm not sure how I would feel if I paid $14 (the max fee for Saturday after 5pm), but I will say for $4 the music/entertainment I paid it was certainly well worth it. The beer selection in the Biergarten, Weingarten, and Alplinegarten I felt was 2-star with just Spaten, Hofbräuhaus, and Paulaner for German beers. There are also Oktoberfest brews from Widmer and Becks. Then they have Coors and Budweiser (really!?! this is Oktoberfest for crying out loud!) but I suppose the sponsorships from these large companies certainly helps the festival overall. Ironically enough, the beer selection in my opinion is better in the Weingarten and Alplinegarten than in the Biergarten. Beers are $5 for a 12oz glass by the way. As for food, come hungry because there is so much to choose from. Food quality and type of food varies in authenticity from being really, truly German to, well, chicken teriyaki (not so German). You'll find food to suit everyone in your group, even the pickiest of eaters. I had a brautwurst with kraut and grilled onions from outside the sausage shop and it was fantastic! Also had a bloomin' onion (not one of the best I've had) and apfel kuchlein (amazing!). I think it's great that Mt Angel has such a deeply-rooted appreciation for German culture and it's awesome they open their town up for everyone to enjoy the festivities. I will most certainly be attending again next year! read more

This festival is brought to you by the entire city of Mount Angel, a little town of 3500 people. This literally takes over the entire city and ends up being its biggest support. The little kids put on an authentic German dance everyday at noon- don't miss it! Other dances go on throughout the day. Many locals are dressed in German dresses or lederhosen. The teens run the info booth, face painting, and do the set up and clean up- it supports their sports teams, art program and senior's night out. ALL the food booths are run by local charities: local churches, fire departments, schools from Mt Angel, Gervais, Silverton and other tiny towns nearby. They earn money for their programs- it's all volunteer run!! Personal favorite of mine are the Gervais chicken and the St Mary's apple cake :) The Fest halls are run by the locals- volunteers again. Here you find the best music - the Z Music Makers are a local favorite! Yes, it costs to get in (kids are free), but this keeps the alcohol separated from the rest of the festival, you can bring in other food if you want (like that chicken!) , and you can come and go as you please. On Saturday and Sunday there is LOTS to do! At the Kindergarten, there are inflatable structures and rock climbing, juggling and magic show, face painting, balloons, petting zoo, pony rides- all FREE. The church has musical performances, you can take a bus to the Abbey and look at the beautiful view and their weird oddity museum, there's plenty of arts and crafts, a car show, a 5K run, triathlon, and dog races- yes, dog races!!! And I think I'm not listing everything :) This festival supports the city for the entire year- ironically, they take October off, and start planning in November. This city has 8 restaurants, 4 bars and the world famous Oktoberfest! It's listed among the best Ofests in the US on many lists. Seriously, haven't I convinced you already? It's the 2nd or 3rd weekend in September- just go!! read more

So lets see...German beer, fried food, sausage, German beer, polka, lederhosen, and German beer? Let's be blunt: If you can't find a way to enjoy Oktoberfest, you can't find a way to enjoy life. Prost! read more

Despite being born and raised in Salem, I'd never been here. Shocked, right? Me too! Hubby and I took the kids this year and got into the tiny town right at 11am. It was already packed so we opted for a $5 lot at the edge of town that resulted in a nice in/out. The gartens ARE kid friendly (in that they allow kids to enter). Beers will run you $5 and are tokens only. My favorite was the Alpinegarten. Best music, best beer. I thought the Weingarten sucked (Pansy wine drinkers). Food was really good--except for the trailer selling ruebens. They MICROWAVED the pre-made refrigerated sandwich. Blech. Kindergarten was obnoxious. This place was asses to elbows at 3:30 when we left. Get there early if you want a chance at having fun. Next year we'll be camping and won't be bringing the kids. I can't wait! read more

Really fun event that brings a taste of Germany to a little town in Oregon. I have been a few times now and came back this year for the first time in about 8 years. The big beergarden is a blast with fun bands, lots of audience interaction, and fun people. They have beer and wine options in most of the drinking tents. I would recommend getting a ride to this event if you're coming in from out of town (especially if its on the Saturday the event takes place) as parking looked NUTS. Party bus, van, even an uber would be smart... read more

We have attended the Mt Angel Oktoberfest several times over the years. We always enjoyed the authentic German music, the German food, listening to the Alp horns in the church, and of course the wiener dog races. Unfortunately, this year it appears the festival has degraded into a pale caricature of what it once was. Instead of authentic polka, accordions, cowbells, and dancers, we were treated to 80's cover bands playing Neil Diamond and Willie Nelson songs. Those were interspersed with rock guitar solos and blaring trumpets. We were quite disappointed, but are apparently in the minority as the venues were packed with the Millennial generation clapping and singing along. To each their own... We apparently missed the only wiener dog race early in the morning before we arrived (we're a two hour drive away). It also appeared the alp horns only performed once in the church but we weren't able to get to that in time due to the crowds. The rest of town just seemed like one big carnival, with typical carnival foods like corn dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, and fried Twinkies. Certainly not the German culture we came for. That said, it seemed almost every food cart sold sausage on a stick or in a bun. We only found one place selling spaetzle, red cabbage, sauerkraut, and schnitzel. If anyone was offering apple strudel, German chocolate cake, or black forest cake, I never found them. There was a cart selling Russian food on the way in if that's what you came to Oktoberfest for. And of course, everything was extremely overpriced. Even the beer options in the main venue's were mostly focused on pale Oregon microbrews, with only a couple authentic German beers to choose from. The Biergarten was the only venue I saw that carried Spaten Optimator. The festival was extremely popular, especially with the under 35 crowd. The streets were packed with so many people we literally had to walk shoulder to shoulder with everyone trying not to step on anyone's toes or lose each other in the crowd. There was no printable schedule on the event web site, and we were not given a guide when we arrived. I finally found one on a stand in the streets, but it was organized by venue instead of by time. So I had to check 6-7 different places to see what was happening next, which meant we missed several events we may have been interested in. Overall we found the event lacked any of the German culture we had enjoyed in previous years. Other attendees seemed quite happy dressing up in over-the-top costumes and collecting their plastic boot shaped beer cups. Scarecrow hats seemed popular with the adults, and wood swords were the kids choice. There were also a surprising number of people who brought their dogs to an already crowded event. Even the Oktoberfest sign near the Glockenspiel seemed hastily thrown together. Instead of the detailed artwork made of flowers, it just looked like beans glued to a flat board to spell out words. Unfortunately, we found the whole experience disappointing this year and agreed we will probably not come back again. read more

I don't drink beer (I know, I know!) but I do love me some sausage! (smirk) Every now and then I plan a trip to see my parents in Oregon around Oktoberfest so that we have something fun to do while I'm there. I love coming to the Mount Angel and walking around. People wear costumes (Wooden clogs! Lederhosen!) and there is fun music playing. The food is yummy and it's fun to walk around looking at vendor booths. One place sold these hair sticks that were guaranteed never to break, and after 6+ years they still haven't. Also, there is a booth (typically manned by young good looking men, ahem) that sells local produce and it is outstanding! My parents always buy peppers there and then make the most delicious salsa at home. I recommend trying the bratwurst, schnitzel, and they have these fried powdered sugar dough things called "Elephant Ears" that are deliciously artery clogging, oh yeah. I realize that last one isn't German, it's just typical fair food but still... try it. It's worth the 19672835 calories, I swear. read more

My first time to Mount Angel and also my first Oktoberfest, and I have to say I had a good time. We went with a group of 5 and rented a campsite in a field that was quite close to the main part of the festival, so after setting up our tents we set out to see what it was all about. We stopped at the first biergarten which was just called The Biergarten. It had a bunch of budweiser signs on it so I guess it was sponsored by them, and it definitely felt like the most budweiser of all the biergartens we went to. It was the largest and seemed to have the worst bands playing, they were all german bands but still they were like if budweiser put together a german band. I was starving by the time we got there so I had a sausage on a bun with saurkraut and a fondu plate, the sausage was actually pretty good (the curry ketchup was amazing) and the fondu had good flavor but was pretty thick for fondu. I don't know the difference between melted cheese and fondu but this seemed like melted cheese. The other tents were much better as we went along, my favorite being the one with the sawdust covered floor. Each tent had different beer selections, and I got to try several different beers throughout the night. The tents all had live music as well, with some acts being better than others and a few being downright racist. My asian friend got pretty offended at one point but I think he may have just been drunk, it was hard to tell. There are food carts set up throughout the town and the streets are blocked off, so I'd recommend waiting to eat something from one of the stands that line the streets. The fried onions were definitely overcooked, and I tried fried apples which were pretty good. The funnel cake I tried was just ok, not like the ones back in the midwest. There's also a place you can get fried twinkies and oreos and such. That's about it. read more