Fredericksburg’s tradition of holding community Oktoberfest celebrations will be renewed with Fredtoberfest 2023 set for Saturday, Oct. 7 from noon to 7 p.m. at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, home of the Fredericksburg Nationals.
Featuring 40-plus craft breweries, German and American food, vendors, live music, and activities for the whole family in the spacious, new Minor League ballpark, it’s an Oktoberfest-style celebration unlike any other in Virginia. Get your lederhosen and dirndls ready!
Among the breweries pouring at Fredtoberfest are recent medal winners from the 2023 Virginia Craft Brewers Guild competition. To name just a few: Alewerks, St. George, Momac, Port City, Tucked Away, Starr Hill, Barley Naked, WildManDan and 6 Bears & a Goat. See the growing list at: www.6bgbrewingco.com
General admission tickets–and a limited number of VIP and premium passes–are now on sale online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fredtoberfest-2023-tickets-655006180117
All festival goers can visit 40-plus vendors and enjoy stein holding contests, ax throwing, a rock wall, corn hole, mega games on the field (large checkers, chess, soccer pool, etc.), inflatable horse race fun derby, K-9 arson detection demonstration as well as face painting, balloon animals, bounce house and playground for the kids.
Live music will begin at 2 p.m. with Whisky Business and at 4:30 p.m. Shannon Peterson in Tennyson Dragon will take the outfield stage.
A decade before the pandemic, thousands jammed downtown Fredericksburg every fall for Oktoberfest on Caroline Street. Last year, some 3,500 people showed up for the storm-delayed inaugural Fredtoberfest at the ballpark in Celebrate Virginia South.
“We’re counting on better weather this October,” said Mark Faller, founder of Fredtoberfest and managing partner of 6 Bears & a Goat Brewing Co., the prime sponsor.
This year, festival goers have the choice of purchasing a sampling package for an unlimited number of 4 oz. pours of Virginia’s finest craft beers, ciders and meads or full pours (24 oz.) or half pours (12 oz.) of the styles they want. In addition to the sampling package, VIP tickets include two full pours (24 oz.) of their favorite styles and a meal ticket.
“We listened to all the feedback from Year One and made several improvements for Fredtoberfest 2023,” Faller said. “With the ticket options, we’ve combined the benefits of an unlimited beer-sampling festival with the full pours typically done at German-style Oktoberfests to satisfy everyone.”
Virginia is home to some of the best independent craft breweries in America and 40 or more of them will fill the stadium concourse and ring the FredNats’ turf field. Brewers and staff members will offer their award-winning beers as well as traditional Oktoberfest-style lagers and ales like those served in Munich.
Faller said the entry process will be streamlined for those who purchase advance general admission and VIP tickets this year. “We’ve simplified the pre-sale ticket process, added access points and we’ll have bar-code scanners to move people into the ballpark efficiently.”
Thousands are expected to come to Fredtoberfest throughout the day, Faller said. “With so many craft breweries and lots of activities, we’ll be ready to offer people a great Oktoberfest experience,” he said. 6B&G’s restaurant will offer its Oktoberfest fare and has partnered with Pro Sports Catering, the stadium’s caterer, to provide a variety of German-style food and American favorites so there’s plenty of food and drink for all tastes.
Get your Fredtoberfest tickets online now. For more information or to purchase your passes today, visit www.6bgbrewingco.com and click on Fredtoberfest.
Tickets will be available at the gates, but it’s a credit-only event. No cash.
Pre-sale GA tickets are $20 ($25 at the gate). Kids ages 7-12 are $5 and 6 and under are free. General admission tickets include access to on-field games, contests, activities and live music.
The unlimited beer sampling package add-on includes a 4-oz. cup and lanyard for $50 in advance. ($60 at the gate).
VIP tickets are $150 and include early access to Fredtoberfest, a meal ticket, the sampling package as well as two full 24 oz. pours in a souvenir stadium cup. VIPs have access to the stadium club level with air conditioning, comfortable seating and bathrooms, special beer stations and exclusive access to the Left Field bar.
Parking is free, but consider using a driving service such as Uber or Lyft. Designated drivers are encouraged.
Fredtoberfest sponsors include: Fusion Rehab and Wellness, BIM Heating and Cooling, Titan HVAC, Halsey Homes, First Citizens Bank, Virginia T-Shirt Company, 77 Barbershop and Always Flavored.
Brewery business sponsors are Barley Naked Brewing, Full Distance Brewing and Highmark Brewery.
Want to go?
What: Fredtoberfest
When: Oct. 7, noon-7 p.m.
Where: Virginia Credit Union Stadium, 42 Jackie Robinson Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Tickets:
- General Admission: $20 in advance on Eventbrite; $25 day of/at the gate. Ticket includes access to all activities and live music.
- VIP ticket: $150 in advance on Eventbrite only. Ticket includes early admission to Fredtoberfest, Sampling Package, two full 24 oz. pours in a souvenir stadium cup, as well as a meal ticket. The VIP ticket also includes access to the stadium club level with air conditioning, comfortable seating and bathrooms, special beer stations and exclusive access to the Left Field bar.
- Premium ticket: $100 in advance on Eventbrite only. Ticket includes all the benefits of the VIP ticket except the sampling package.
- Group VIP Suites: $2,000 for 20 VIP tickets and exclusive suite in the club house. Save $50 per VIP ticket. Includes all VIP perks. Presale on Eventbrite only.
- Sampling Package: $50 in advance on Eventbrite; $60 day of/at the gate. Ticket includes a 4 oz. sampling glass with lanyard glass holder, and unlimited number of 4 oz. pours.
- Full Pour (24 oz): $12
- Half Pour (12 oz): $6
Purchase online at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fredtoberfest-2023-tickets-655006180117
Info: Visit the 6B&G website at www.6bgbrewingco.com