New Facebook Page For Oktoberfest
A new Facebook bage called Oktoberfest in Hopedale has been created to handle all things Oktoberfest. The Little Red Shop Museum page will continue to handle museum announcements, area happenings, historical information and major Oktoberfest announcements. Please click on the Facebook link on the right to "like" the new page.
Thousands visit Oktoberfest 2012!
What a day ! Mother Nature smiled a little as the rains held off the entire day! Thousands flocked to the event throughout the day and enjoyed the food, music, the attractions, the vendors and the entertainment! Wally the Green Monster rocked with the band at the bandstand and entertained crowds wherever he roamed, all the bands were excellent and Kate Russo showed off her talents on the electric violin, just awesome!
The chowdah-fest attracted close to 1,000 people as they tasted the best chowdahs from the area! Atria Draper Place took home both awards - the people's choice and the judges choice, but everyone of the contestants should hold their heads high as everyone enjoyed the competition and the tasting!
It was evident why Oktoberfest has become one of the largest one day events in the state as people came from all over the New England, many saying it is an annual tradition! There was something for everyone, from the little ones to the elders with a petting zoo, entertainment, the bier garten and the museum with local and regional history.
The VW car show has grown each year and promises to be one of the major attractions of the event.
The balloon ride was well visited and a new record of 5 golf balls in the cup! we have never had more than 2!
Thank you for attending the event, thank you for being a vendor, volunteer, sponsor or even a reader! Oktoberfest 2012 is history and we preserve our history together!
Oktoberfest Electrical Needs
For the 4th straight year, Crown Supply, our premier sponsor, has sponsored all of our electrical needs for Oktoberfest. All the lighting in the beer garden and electrical materials have been donated to the museum including all the materials used in the restoration of the museum. This year Crown donated all the parts to build a power distribution panel for the beer garden. Crown Supply is a premier supporter, shining some light on the the slogan "Preserving Our History Together". Thank you Crown Supply!
New! Oktoberfest T-Shirt
For the first time we will have an Oktoberfest t-shirt with a musical touch to the image created by artist Trevor Schubert. Besides his artwork, Trevor also does the illustration for the Necro-Man comic book. On the back of the shirt is a list of the 13 bands and performers at this year's Oktoberfest in Hopedale event. Shirts are available at the Little Red Shop Museum souvenir booth in either black or white and are $15
Parking and Shuttle Service
There are three major parking areas established for Oktoberfest in Hopedale; the Prospect Street parking lot, the little league ball field, off of Bancroft Park, and at the parking lot at the corner of Hopedale and Adin Streets.
The Oktoberfest shuttle, sponsored by Emergency Medical Services, will pick up and drop off attendees at all three major locations. Both the Prospect St and ball field with have Oktoberfest in Hopedale security personnel present all day long.
Please see the parking and event map page for the parking lot locations and for directions.
We urge everyone to use the parking facilities and the shuttle service to help alleviate the anticipated traffic.
Paws and Wally
Paws from the Champion Pawtucket Red Sox will appear from 10:00 - 11:00 near the peeting zoo and then wander into the town park.
Wally the Green Monster, from the Boston Red Sox, is tentaively scheduled from 2:00 - 4:00.Wally will start out near the Nissan Booth and wander throughout the festival.
Wally is sponsored by Milford Nissan and Allied Waste (BFI). Paws is sponsored by WMRC Radio.
VW Car Show
Prize donations for the VW car show raffle are rolling in! This is going to be a great raffle, be sure to get your tickets in front of the tennis courts in the park. Newest donations from JP Liquors, Scentsy, Tupperware, Wrap it Up & Paisley Treasures!
The town park will be full of bugs this year, but not the kind with legs. The VW car show will feature many new entries as the event matures in it's second year. Read More....
Know a friend or relative with a bug? Tell them about the show and the convenient parking they get for Oktoberfest! Send them this flyer CLICK HERE.
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Chowdah-fest Competition Steaming Up!
Three more register for the second annual Oktoberfest Chowdah-fest sponsored by Atria Draper Place bringing the total to 9 competitors raring to fight for the right to be crowned BEST of Oktoberfest! Read More...
New! Oktoberfest Fine Arts Show
The Oktoberfest Fine Art Exhibit and Sale will be held at the Bancroft Library from 11:00 AM- 7:00 PM. The BVAA - Blackstone Valley Art Association - is organizing the event, CLICK HERE for their flyer.
The Bancroft Library is the second indoor location to host an exhibit during the award winning Oktoberfest event. Atria/Draper Place will host the 70' long Coastal Mountain Railroad train exhibit. from 10:00 AM till 7:00 PM.
New! Professional Whiffle Ball League
The GSWL professional whiffle ball league will be coming to Oktoberfest in Hopedale! See some of their pitchers throw a whiffle ball 90+ miles per hour! The GSWL will hold whiffle ball clinics both pitching and hitting throughout the day, put on an exhibition game in the afternoon and then have a home run derby for young and old, for anyone who wants to participate! Prizes, t-shirts, whiffle balls and a whole lot of fun! Oktoberfest in Hopedale, a unique day of fun for everyone!
We'll update this as we receive more information.
Sound by After Midnight Productions
Jeff Hall and his group from After Midnight Productions will provide the sound at both the bandstand and stage. Oktoberfest will be rocking!
Kate Russo Headlines Music Tent
Kate Russo has toured the US, Europe and Asia with her own brand of original rock. Starting out as a multi-instrumentalist, with emphasis on classical violin at New England Conservatory, Kate began writing and rocking at 16, with enthusiastic reviews from Rolling Stone Magazine, The New York Post and others. We welcome Kate Russo to Oktoberfest in Hopedale!
Double Eagle Oktoberfest Band Back in 2012!
They’re back!!!!!! The ever popular Double Eagle Oktoberfest German Band will be back in the Bier Garten..
Ooompah!!!!!!!!
Model Airplanes Return
The Millis Model Airplane Club returns to Hopedale Pond for Oktoberfest In Hopedale 2012. Joining the MMAC will be members from the Charles River Club and several returnees from NY State. Read more..
Bobo the Clown
Bobo is a children's favorite at many of events with his amazing balloon making skills and now he is bringing them to Oktoberfest in Hopedale! See Bobo create animals of shapes and sizes, balloon hats and other great designs, Bobo will be around for most of the day and you can find him at the family dining tents.
Oktoberfest 2011 Tremendous Success
What a day !! The morning had some rain and then it held off for most of the day! Even with the threatening skies the crowds enjoyed the music, food, prizes, attractions, vendors and of course the Bier Garten !
Over 7,000 people attend the event which saw a much improved Bier Garten thanks to the sponsorship of the fencing by Consigli Construction. We hope they become an annual sponsor. This year's garden allowed visitors to stretch their legs, check out the view of the pond and allow them to mingle much easier than the previous years.
Another main attraction was the tethered hot air balloon ride by Remax that several hundred riders enjoyed during the late afternoon.
For the first time we had a few kiddie rides that were well received along with a big kiddie ride called the Bull Ride and many of the big kids had a grand time!
Kiddie Land
Since Columbus Day is early this year, the amusement company cannot participate in this year's event as they are already booked. Hopefully they'll be back in 13'.
Attention Boaters
The boat launch will be closed all day September 29th (rain date September 30th).
12 Bands Highlight Oktoberfest
In 2011 we had seven bands, five of which were local, and Oktoberfest took home the Best Music Event award. This year Oktoberfest will feature 11 local bands and the return of the Double Eagle Oktoberfest Band! Once again we will have the music tent across from the Little Red Shop Museum that will feature 6 bands plus we are expanding to the bandstand in the town park where 5 more bands will be playing. Read more about the bands by CLICKING HERE.
Oktoberfest Wins Best Music Event!
On July 19th Oktoberfest in Hopedale became an award winning event as it took home BEST Local Music Event at the Local Music Awards held at PINZ in Milford and sponsored by WMRC Radio.
The event featured nominees arriving to the red carpet by limo, a VIP room for the nominees and entertainment all night long.
Tom McGovern accepted the award for the Oktoberfest Planners and invited all local bands to play at the award winning event in Hopedale.
Joe Perry from Aerosmith and Hopedale won the Best Local Legend award.
Oktoberfest 2011 Sights and Sounds
Oktoberfest 2011 was filled with music, food, fun, family entertainment and more food ! Relive the fun and music in these videos.
The first show is title "The Making of Oktoberfest 2011". Watch as Oktoberfest unfurls from the erecting of the stage, tents, road preparation, the Oktoberfest event and ends in the Bier Garten with the Oompah! Band. It was created by Tom of the Friends of Historic Hopedale.
The second video, titled "Oktoberfest In Hopedale 2011" was created by the guys at the local cable channel Chanel 8 and shows some of the wonderful action during the event.
Coastal Mountain Railroad Exhibit
The Coastal Mountain Railroad 70' long exhibit will be on display in Atria Draper Place.
Coastal Mountain Railroad is an operating HO scale modular railroad group that is comprised of members who have interests in not only, many of the major east coast railroads but also, several of the major western railroads. Although not meant to represent a large contemporary mainline such as CSX, the modeling does attempt to capture an active branch-line set in New England during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Formed in the early 1990’s Coastal Mountain Railroad has won awards not only, throughout New England but also, Canada and Europe. The modules’ scenery are carefully detailed, our rolling stock and engines are weathered, and using the latest technology to operate trains 3 to 4 simultaniously. The Coastal Mountain Railroad gives the viewers the impression of actually being along a real railroad. Check them out on Facebook for photographs and up to date information about their group.
Volunteer Program
The 2011 Oktoberfest was a tremendous success and the many volunteers that gave a few hours of their time helped make it the success it was. Read More....