Bluff City Oktoberfest lands downtown this fall | Community Spirit

It may be the beginning of spring, but that is not stopping one group from planning a fall festival along the muddy Mississippi.

The Bluff City Oktoberfest lands on Riverside Drive this fall on the weekend of October 4.

The weekend-long event will benefit Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South. It will feature a beer garden and regional craft brews, a Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned BBQ cooking contest, local artisans and two stages of live music.

There will also be non-profit booths, food trucks, and family activities. Many people will look forward to a dog race called the Running of the Weenies

“We saw an opportunity to bring a unique event to the riverfront and benefit a great organization,” said Samaritan Mid-South Foundation president Brooks Monypeny.

The festival’s two music stages will be curated by the Memphis Bluegrass Association and Cedar Grove Opry.

In the Samaritan spirit, admission will be free with a donation of $5, a gently used child’s coat,  or comparable canned goods for the Mid-South Food Bank. Stay tuned to the event's Facebook page and website for more details as they are announced over the coming months.

“Bluff City Oktoberfest will feature some of those festival favorites we’ve come to expect in the Mid-South, but also more one-of-a-kind highlights like bluegrass music, craft beers and more," said Monypeny.