Oktoberfest Food and Music in Maine New York

Oktoberfest is the perfect ending to the Southern Tier festival season that usually kicks off in the warmer weather.  Oktoberfest is this weekend, Friday September 30 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. , Saturday Oktober 1 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday Oktober 2nd from 11am to 3 p.m., at the Most Holy Rosary Church, Route 26 in Maine, New York.

It's traditionally warm weather for the festival but no matter what the forecast may look like, the giant tent will keep your food, brews and music away from the elements.  Speaking of music, a number of local bands will be preforming and admission to the festival is always free.

Live music every day and night.  Old Friends return Friday night 7-11 p.m. to play a mix of pop and folk favorites, Messy Truth play Saturday 2-5 p.m. and Egomaniacs entertain Saturday night 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.  If you want to catch the BC Celtic Pipe and Drum, always a favorite at the festival, get there early as they make a quick appearance Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., with Patsy White & Doublewide, closing Oktoberfest from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

$30 "Pennies From Heaven" ticket is a major fundraiser at the church, with the grand prize of $10,000.  Last year, tickets were sold out early.  I won $500 a few years back.  The drawing is Sunday afternoon, along with the basket drawings.  And yes, Oktoberfest is definitely family friendly, as their Saturday Kid's Courtyard and video game van is very popular with the little ones.

If this is your first Oktoberfest in Maine, my advice would be to show up hungry.  Their homemade Manhattan Clam Chowder soup is out of this world good.  Same for the homemade halupki (stuffed cabbage).  It's so good, I always make sure I do a takeout before I leave.  The menu also includes a selection of traditional Oktoberfest foods, along with hotdogs, hamburgers, sausage and peppers, salt potatoes and pirogi.