Highland’s Oktoberfest returns for its second year this Saturday, October 18. From 3 to 9 p.m. visitors can walk up and down the Hamlet’s Vineyard Avenue, tasting traditional German foods and drinking Deutsche beer. The goal, says Town of Lloyd events commission chair Kate Jonietz, is for people to have fun and “take time to make new friendships and revitalize some old friendships.”
The festival’s 2013 iteration came from a partnership between the Highland Business Association and the Town of Lloyd events committee. “[We were] looking for something that we could do together,” said Jonietz, who described the restaurants in Highland as “an eclectic mix. It’s a block party of sorts, with street vendors and music.
Those looking for a German experience are sure to enjoy Oktoberfest. Elia’s Catering Company & House of Sausage will serve “brats, knockwurst, weisswurst and frankfurters” all night, and Vigneto’s Café is cooking sauerbraten and spaetzle. Highland businesses like Pavese’s and the Asian Garden will serve their standard menu items during the festival as well.
From 5 to 8 p.m. the “Hudson Valley’s #2 Party Band” Touch of Rhythm will play in the park, new this year. Other changes include integrating an apple pie making contest into the festival itself, as well as moving the end time from 8 to 9 p.m.
Admission is free to the rain or shine event, though attendees need to pay for all their food and drinks. It joins a host of other Hudson Valley towns in throwing an Oktoberfest, from Poughkeepsie to New Windsor to Hunter. Jonietz hopes that Highland itself will set the event apart and, importantly that people realize “there is a great hamlet that people should come and spend some time in.”
Join the family! 
