The country’s ‘oldest continuously-operating Oktoberfest’ is located right here in Columbus

If you ask Germania Columbus members, they’ll tell you the organization’s local Oktoberfest celebration is probably one of the nation’s best, sure, but they’ll also tell you it’s likely the oldest continuously-operating Oktoberfest in the country.

“We don’t have the numbers of Cincinnati, but there were a lot of Germans coming to Columbus 100, 150 years ago,” said Germania Columbus board member Melinda Green. “We’ve been doing this since 1957 or 1958, and it’s the oldest continuously-operating Oktobfest in the country as far as we know, and we’ve researched it.”

Held Sept. 19-21 at 543 South Front St. in the Brewery District, the festival, which costs $5 for non-club members, typically sees thousands of visitors each year. 

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The three-day event will feature an open bier garten, live traditional German music from Cincinnati and Rochester, and even a daily stein holding contest (it’s a real thing, look it up). The event is family-friendly.

Traditional German favorites like bratwurst, schnitzel and more will be prepared on-site as well.

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