Tallahassee's longest-running Oktoberfest is back Sunday at Cascades Park

As Tallahassee Beer Society held fundraisers throughout 2020 and 2021, one  organization we've kept at the forefront of our philanthropy is Elder Care Services and their annual Oktoberfest celebration — which is entering its 24th year this Sunday at Cascades Park from 4-7 p.m. (or 3-7 p.m. if go the VIP route!).

There will once again be amazing German food, live music throughout the park, beer games and lots of incredible craft beer from breweries around the world, as well as right here at home.

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In all, there are 12 local breweries/craft beer businesses offering unlimited samples during the Sunday-funday, day-drinking event, and we can hardly contain our excitement with the fest now just a few days away.

Not only is it the sole beer-centric festival permitted by the City of Tallahassee at its premier park every year, the Elder Care Oktoberfest is officially the longest-running Oktoberfest in Tallahassee.

Elder Care history-makers

And that little factoid about ECS being history-makers is one that brings a big smile to the face of Elder Care Executive Director Josie Fliger.

"Elder Care is so proud of the over 50 years we have helped seniors live independently in their homes and are especially delighted about how long Oktoberfest has advanced this mission," said Fliger, who worked her way up through the organization over the years and was named Executive Director two years ago. "Without this fundraiser, we would not be able to reach as many vulnerable seniors. Plus we love to throw a good party!"

We first got involved in this event 4 years ago when the organizers reached out and said they wanted to have a larger, more robust craft beer presence for attendees. Tallahassee was five breweries strong at that time, and there was very little in the way of local beer being offered at their Oktoberfest.

So, as we often do for anyone who wants to incorporate craft beer into their event and seeks our assistance, we helped change that!

Moving to Cascades

In 2018, Tallahassee's Deep Brewing joined in a big way by brewing a special German kolsch-style beer just for the event, while many of our other local breweries came, poured and lent their support. The following year, we helped gather every local brewery in a 90-mile radius of Tallahassee for the 21st Annual Elder Care Oktoberfest — marking the first time a collection of local breweries like that had ever been under one roof all at once.

As for 2020? Well, as you can guess, the event had to take a hiatus of sorts, moving to an online auction only and a to-go meal pickup only as a way to try to raise money. And that's not exactly ideal for an event that's made to be held in person with German Polka Band music blaring, cold kegs pouring and stein-holding competitions going on all around you.

But in 2021, it roared back, moving to a new venue — Cascades Park — and welcoming several hundred guests for a safe, socially distanced outdoor event.  And one of the breweries that attended for the first time in 2019, then came back again in 2021, was Halpatter Brewing from Lake City.

We consider Halpatter a part of the Tallahassee-area beer scene just on proximity alone, but they're also beloved by local craft beer fans for their innovative sours, cream ales, IPAs, dark lagers and milk stouts.

Bringing in the brewers

For head brewer and co-owner Jonny Frazier, it's a no-brainer to support events like this even if they're not in their backyard. And they'll be back again this year with more awesome beers to pour for guests.

"We support the Tallahassee festivals because the city of Tallahassee, the TLH Beer Society and its businesses and people have welcomed us into our market and been a powerful catalyst for the growth of our brand into markets now covering the entire state of Florida and Georgia," Jonny said. "The Tallahassee festivals also generously raise money that goes directly to areas of need in the community. It's easy to get behind and support folks that are obviously behind us, supporting us."

Joining Halpatter this year as featured breweries at the event will be seven other locals: Proof, Ology, Lake Tribe, Deep Brewing, Oyster City (Apalachicola/Tallahassee), Georgia Beer Company (Valdosta, Georgia) and Southern Fields Brewing (Campbellton).

Also of note is the inclusion of brewery-in-planning Amicus Brewing Ventures, which aims to open in early 2023 in downtown Tallahassee. But the most interesting part about them pouring at this event is that they plan to open across the street from Cascades Park in the old City of Tallahassee Waterworks Building and will be able to tell all those who visit them Sunday about their exciting plans.

Homebrewing and distributors

Also pouring is local homebrewing legend Tim Rach, whose Hammerhead Brewing brand has won awards at the Tallahassee Beer Festival three times in four years of that event. Very excited to taste their amazing ciders and offer a different option other than just beer for attendees.

And we also welcome for the first time this year a booth from World of Beer-Tallahassee, which sits just a stone's throw from Cascades Park off Lafayette St. But more importantly — being as their name is "World Of Beer" — they will be bringing a huge selection of Oktoberfest beers from around the world to sample.

And, as always, primary sponsor Tri Eagle Sales — which distributes Proof, Oyster CIty and most recently Georgia Beer Company beer — will be on hand once again running the VIP section, which is always full of rare and unique beers you will only be able to sample at their booth.

"We are excited to see everyone this year. We could not do this event were it not for the incredible local brewery community. And our friends coming from out of town — Georgia Beer Company, Southern Fields and Halpatter — are just incredible," Fliger said.

"We could not be more thrilled to really open up Cascades Park and have a purposeful but fun party. We went into planning Oktoberfest this year with the idea of maximizing the space at Cascades while providing all the staples that we have had at the past 23 Oktoberfests — great local beer, delicious food, and lots of fun."

'Oompah band is back'

As for any notable changes from last year to now? Fliger told us "The Oompah band is back, baby! We also reworked the space a bit to allow for more attendees and are allowing tickets to be purchased at the door. We really want to celebrate coming through such a hard time for our community and that during the pandemic we were able to serve more seniors than ever before."

Food is always big at these events, and this year is no different, Fliger said.

"We are proud of our amazing kitchen and the delicious food we produce every day for Meals on Wheels. Those kitchen skills are put to use so we can make German food that is included in the cost of the ticket. We will have all the old standards — sausage, German potato salad, veggie options, hot and doughy pretzels, and more. Good food matches perfectly with great beer!"

Funding critical senior care

As for where all the proceeds go from this event? Well, the funds go to a great place: helping care for our area's elderly population. And Elder Care's services are more important now than ever since they recently expanded their territory to assist neighboring counties like Wakulla, Gadsden and Jefferson.

"Oktoberfest helps us provide critical senior care that might not be covered with grant funding," Fliger said. "We rely on the success of Oktoberfest every year to help us bridge the gaps we see in senior services like nutrition, outreach, case management, and more. We want to improve the quality of life for seniors and Oktoberfest lets us do that, while at the same time having hundreds of our friends and supporters over for an excellent party."

We hope you'll come out and support Elder Care AND all of our local breweries taking part. We'll be there, of course, with a booth and some Drink Tallahassee Beer swag, with a portion of proceeds being donated back to Elder Care.

Worried about missing NFL football during the event? Just like TLH Beer Fest last month, we'll have a TV set up with all the action on it at our booth. It's gonna be a heck of a party Sunday. Make plans to be there and get your Oktoberfest-on!

Danny Aller is the co-founder, along with Matthew Crumbaker, of the TLH Beer Society. Reach the Beer Society on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or email: tlhbeersociety@gmail.com.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Elder Care Oktoberfest marks 24th year with Sunday's celebration