Oktoberfest

The Dayton Art Institute will celebrate art, beer and good cheer at its 48^th annual Oktoberfest celebration, taking place September 27–29 on the museum grounds.

A Dayton tradition since 1972, Oktoberfest is the museum’s largest annual fundraising event.

The DAI’s Associate Board, led by festival chairs Michael and Patty Griest, are putting the finishing touches on this year’s Oktoberfest, which features family activities, outstanding artisans, live entertainment on two stages, delicious food, a Weingarten, and, of course, an amazing selection of more than 40 different craft and international beers.

“It has been an honor to spend the last year planning the very best party in Dayton,” Michael and Patty Griest said. “There is something for everyone at Oktoberfest, and we can’t wait for the community to come and celebrate at the Dayton Art Institute.”

The Dayton Art Institute’s Director and CEO Michael R. Roediger added, “Thank you to everyone who helps organize and support this important museum fundraiser every year. Oktoberfest is a wonderful community event, and the money raised helps support the DAI in so many ways throughout the year.”

Lederhosen Lunch
The Oktoberfest weekend kicks off on Friday, September 27, with the museum’s annual Lederhosen Lunch, taking place 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Hosted by the DAI’s Former Associate Board, this community lunch offers the only free admission of the weekend, with traditional, affordable bratwurst and mettwurst, schnitzel sandwiches, German salads, and homemade noodles, available for purchase, as well as live music by the Trans Am Euro Mutts. The main beer truck will be tapped for the Lederhosen Lunch, offering the first Oktoberfest beer of the weekend! Guests may also buy event tickets, as well as Oktoberfest mugs and t-shirts at the Lederhosen Lunch.

RTA will provide free shuttles from downtown Dayton to the Lederhosen Lunch, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Shuttle stops will be available along Monument Avenue, Wilkinson Street, Second Street, Main Street, and Fifth Street. Limited street parking is also available in the neighborhood surrounding the museum.

OKTOBERFEST PREVIEW PARTY
The Preview Party, presented by Premier Health, takes place on Friday, September 21, 7–11 p.m. Highlights include complimentary draft beer, wine and soft drinks (plus cash bar for premium craft and international beers), more than 60 artisan exhibitors and 30 food vendors, and live music by Cherry on Top. The museum galleries will be open to Preview Party guests from 7 to 9 p.m.

Free shuttle service will be offered during the Preview Party. Park at the University of Dayton parking lot on River Park Drive, located between the Marriott and Dayton Daily News building, and take free shuttles directly to and from the Preview Party.

Advance purchase of Oktoberfest Preview Party tickets is recommended.  Advance tickets are $55 members, $75 non-members. All tickets purchased at the gate are $95. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktoberfest, at the museum’s Guest Services Desk during regular hours, or by calling 937-223-4ART (4278). Guests must be 21 with a valid ID to attend the Preview Party.

OKTOBERFEST 2019
Oktoberfest 2019, presented by Miller Lite, takes place Saturday, September 28, noon–11:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 29, noon–7 p.m.

Oktoberfest includes a fully covered Main Stage area and Food Court, and a “TV Cave” with four big-screen TVs for all the weekend sports action. Live music will be featured in the food tent and on the main stage throughout the weekend. Two large tents will feature more than 60 artisans, including many who are new to Oktoberfest. The ACCO Brands FamilyFest returns on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, noon–4:30 p.m. each day, with special activities for all ages in the museum and on the grounds near the museum entrance.

The museum’s collection galleries, as well as the Museum Store and Leo Bistro, will be open noon–5 p.m. on September 27 & 28. Admission to the museum’s collection galleries and focus exhibitions is included in Oktoberfest admission.

Advance general admission tickets for Oktoberfest (Saturday/Sunday) are $8 adults, $5 seniors and youth (ages 7–18). Tickets purchased at the gate are $10 adults, $7 seniors and youth. Children 6 and under are free. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktoberfest, at the museum’s Guest Services Desk during regular museum hours, or by calling 937-223-4ART (4278).

Advance general admission tickets may also be purchased at the following pre-sale locations through the close of business on Friday, September 27: Arrow Wine (Centerville and Kettering locations), Dorothy Lane Market (all locations) Ghostlight Coffee (Wayne Avenue location), Jerardi’s Little Store, Yellow Springs Hardware and Old Scratch Pizza.

PARKING & SHUTTLES

Getting to and from Oktoberfest is easy, with free shuttle service, including shuttles for the Preview Party. Follow the Oktoberfest signs and park for free at the University of Dayton parking lot behind the Marriott, just off Patterson Boulevard, and take the free shuttles directly to and from both the Preview Party and Oktoberfest.

On Saturday and Sunday, you may also park downtown and take a free RTA Oktoberfest shuttle, with stops along Wilkinson, Monument, Main Street, Second Street and Fifth Street in the Oregon District. Free RTA shuttles will also be available during the Lederhosen Lunch.

Bicycle racks will be available near the main festival entrance at Belmonte Park and Riverview Avenue on Saturday and Sunday, noon–7:00 p.m.

Visit www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktparking for more about parking during Oktoberfest.

OKTOBERFEST NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!
Oktoberfest is the museum’s largest annual fundraiser, and more than 2,000 volunteers are needed to assist with the event. Volunteer opportunities are still available throughout the weekend. Those interested in volunteering may visit www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktvolunteers to learn more about the available volunteer opportunities.

Oktoberfest receives support from Presenting Sponsor Miller Lite, Preview Party Sponsor Premier Health, Craft Beer Sponsor Cavalier Distributing, Family Art Sponsor ACCO Brands, Vehicle Sponsor White Allen Family of Dealerships, Lederhosen Lunch Sponsor KeyBank, Stage Sponsor Key-Ads, Inc., Mugs & Ts Sponsor Logos@Work, Supporting Sponsors Arrow Wine & Spirits, Bladecutters, Enterprise Roofing, Logos@Work,  M&M Title Co., The Modern, Old Scratch Pizza, Rumpke Waste & Recycling, The Schueler Group, Surdyk Dowd & Turner, and WesBanco, and Media Sponsors ABC 22 & FOX 45 and iHeart Media Dayton, with Additional Support from Oregon Printing, PNC, and RTA

Visit www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktoberfest for all things Oktoberfest, including more information about band schedules, food vendors, beer and wine offerings, and participating artisan vendors. Festivalgoers are also encouraged to connect with The DAI on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag Oktoberfest posts and photos with #OktoberfestDayton.

The Dayton Art Institute’s Associate Board organizes the annual Oktoberfest as a fundraiser to support the museum. This group of 64 dedicated museum volunteers also organizes the annual Art Ball. More than 2,000 additional volunteers, as well as the entire museum staff, help with the massive task of putting on Oktoberfest. Proceeds from the event benefit The Dayton Art Institute. Over the years, the Associate Board has raised nearly $7.5 million for the museum through Oktoberfest. Since its inception, more than one million people have attended the DAI’s Oktoberfest!