Oktoberfest Returning to Doylestown Township This Year

Last month, the Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors turned down a proposal to host the Pennsylvania State Fair in Turk Park 3. Although it would have guaranteed the cash-strapped township a $50,000 windfall, they said the 10-day event would likely cause traffic and parking nightmares for residents living in the surrounding neighborhood.

Last night, they accepted a revised proposal from Reithoffer Shows to stage a scaled-down version in the same area from September 8 through 18. It will be a reincarnation of Oktoberfest, the popular township-sponsored event that had to be cancelled last year because of work on the Route 202 Bypass. 

“It will be a great party for the community,” said Supervisors Chairwoman Barbara Lyons. 

And the cash won’t hurt, either. Even thought the event is smaller than the State Fair, the township will receive 20 percent of all revenue, with a minimum guarantee of $50,000 that will go to the Parks and Recreation budget. Reithoffer will also absorb the cost of some infrastructure improvements, will repair any damage, and will pay for any police overtime that is necessary. 

“Our budgets are really tight,” said Supervisor Cynthia Philo. “We have to be looking at ways to raise revenue. This is an opportunity to provide good entertainment with a minimum of disruption."

The event will also give a boost to the local economy because Reithoffer said it will hire local people and purchase goods from local suppliers. 

In turning down the proposal to host the State Fair, township officials indicated they would be open to considering a smaller event that would be more in keeping with the Oktoberfest tradition. After reviewing an event smaller in scope proposed by Reithoffer, township officials it was more appropriate for the setting and would be an excellent way to bring back Oktoberfest for the community. 

Lyons said Oktoberfest will include live entertainment, animal and environmental exhibits, rides, food and midway games. Special days will be geared toward elementary-aged students and senior citizens. Area non-profit organizations will be invited to participate, she said.

“The timing is respectful of the neighborhood, and the presentation is respectful of the community,” said Lyons. 

Oktoberfest will operate between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday; from noon until 11 p.m. on Saturday; and from noon until 8 p.m. on Sunday. Lyons said sound will be turned off at 10:30 p.m. and lights will go down at 11 p.m.

The plan calls for all onsite parking; no parking will be allowed on residential streets or in any county-owned lots, according to Lyons. Arrangements will be made for offsite parking and shuttle busses, if necessary, she said. 

For 15 years, the Township put on Oktoberfest, a three-day celebration that in its heyday drew 30,000 visitors, according to Lyons. But the event was cancelled in 2010 when construction of the Route 202 Bypass claimed the Upper part of Central Park, where Oktoberfest had been held.

Reithoffer is hoping to double that attendance over 10 days, said Lyons.

If Oktoberfest is a success, Lyons said Reithoffer could be invited back in future years, possibly at a different site.

Supervisor Rick Colello said his only concern was parking. "and that was addressed today," he said.

Oktoberfest could benefit from the Doylestown Arts Festival, scheduled for September 17-18, and the Univest Grand Prix, a world-class bicycling event, slated for September 18 in Doylestown.