For 50 years, the Tyrolean Inn in Ben Lomond was the home to all things German in the San Lorenzo Valley. From schnitzel to spaetzle, the former restaurant was THE place for locals to celebrate Oktoberfest from mid-September to early October.
With the October 2022 departure of the Inn, another avenue for honoring German food and culture is on the map, and Oktoberfest Santa Cruz welcomes its neighbors to the north for a rousing day of food and entertainment.
On Saturday, Sept. 30, from noon to 4pm at the Messiah Lutheran Church at 801 High St. in Santa Cruz, the admission-free, family-friendly event will feature a variety of homemade German specialties, Bavarian suds and entertainment by The Thirsty Nine, a bonafide German polka band.
“We want to share the spirit of gemütlichkeit,” said Jonathan Mueller, event coordinator for Oktoberfest Santa Cruz.
Gemütlichkeit (pronounced geh-MOOT-lish-kite) refers to the warm cordiality and congeniality that is a hallmark of Bavarian culture.
Mueller has been with the Oktoberfest event for about 10 years, and notes that it is the longest running independent neighborhood celebration in Santa Cruz County and is proud of the collaboration his team has built with other participating nonprofits over the past 24 years.
“There aren’t a lot of small, independent events like this, and we’re proud to still serve our community on this scale,” said Mueller.
Speaking of serving, Mueller says that 90% of the food at the event—sauerkraut, German potato salad, red cabbage—is prepared on the church campus for the event, excepting the bratwurst and bockwurst sausages. (Adult meals are $20; children 12 and under eat free.)
As for the beer, Mueller and his team take pride in the suds they serve at their celebration.
“We only serve German-style beers, many from Munich breweries, and our draft beer will be from New Bohemian Brewery in Santa Cruz,” said Mueller.
Munich-based wines will also be poured at the party.
No Oktoberfest celebration is complete without an oompah band, and Mueller is proud to feature The Thirsty Nine at his. The group is comprised of locals from Watsonville and the Central Coast, and the neat thing about this band, says Mueller, is that they donate their performance fee to local high schools to create scholarships for students who want to pursue a degree in music.
“The band has been performing with us for at least 15 years, and we’re proud of our relationship with them, and our ability to support a group that gives back to its community,” said Mueller.
While a traditional Oktoberfest celebration isn’t always the best place for kids, Mueller says this event is for the whole family. There will be plenty of games and activities for the little ones, along with a petting zoo including ponies, goats, rabbits and other tame animals with which the kids can engage.
In addition, there will be a ducky derby, complete with plastic ducks outfitted in lederhosen, and kids can race their selected duck down a stream on the property.
Most of the event is held outdoors, so Mueller encourages attendees to dress for the weather. Well-behaved pets and their owners are welcome, and dressing up is encouraged.
“We’d love to see folks in their lederhosen and dirndl. Getting into the spirit of the event is always encouraged,” said Mueller.
Interested in celebrating Oktoberfest Santa Cruz? Get more information—and tickets—at this link.
