Shirt for the Seymour Oktoberfest board and family of Lester Tracy of Seymour, whom the shirt is inspired by. Shirt designed by Nick Walden of Medora.
Submitted photo
The full 2024 Seymour Oktoberfest schedule.
2024 Seymour Oktoberfest entry check in and participant drop off guide.
2024 Seymour Oktoberfest parade route.
Lester Tracy of Seymour playing his crank organ at a Seymour Oktoberfest event.
Submitted photo
The streets of downtown Seymour come alive during the first weekend in October each year for Seymour Oktoberfest.
The 51st annual festival will begin its three-day run Thursday and continue through Saturday. Food and arts and crafts booths are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day.
To kick off the festivities a day early, however, the carnival and Knights of Columbus Biergarten will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. today. Discounted bracelets of $20 for the carnival may be purchased at city hall, 301-309 N. Chestnut St., through 4:30 p.m. today.
The carnival will also be open from 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
On Saturday, the Oktoberfest Parade sponsored by the Schneck Medical Center will begin at 1:30 p.m. Due to construction on West Second Street, the route has changed from its usual path. This year, the parade will start on Community Drive and end at Fourth and Johnson Street. Visit the updated map and instructions online.
Thursday activities include a baking contest at 10 a.m. at the Community Foundation of Jackson County officer, opening ceremonies and festival awards at 5:30 p.m. from the Schwätzer’s North Stage; and live performances of bluegrass music from Zion Road, Marrietta R.F.D. and Bluegrass Express from 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. on the MyTruAdvantage South Stage and the Schulhaus 4+3 German Band, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on the German American Bank West Stage.
Friday’s events include a chicken and polka dance contest, Hot Air Balloon Glow by RE/MAX
The final day, Saturday, will feature the parade along with the baby contest, which Kendra Zumhingst, chairwoman of the Oktoberfest Board, said is well-attended every year, Passport Professionals and a new addition — Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience. Drawing for Strassanfest and the 5K.
Throughout the festive weekend, more than 70 food and 50 craft vendors will be selling their goods. Some of the food vendors include Cinnamon Shack, Small Town Satisfied and Fire Kissed Pizza. Craft vendors include Me & Mo, Creations by Carrie, Skura Helping Hands and many more.
Handicapped parking is available in the Total Tan Parking Lot, located on the corner of Indianapolis Avenue and Third Street.
This year, the Oktoberfest board and family of Lester Tracy of Seymour received shirts designed by Nick Walden of Medora. The shirts represent Tracy, who used to attend Oktoberfest every year with his crank organ.
To view the full schedule with information, visit SeymourOktoberfest.com.