Oktoberfest Schedule
- Friday, October 6th 2023 & Saturday, October 7th 2023
- Kohlmann Park - Waverly, Iowa
About Waverly Oktoberfest
The Midwest’s Most Family-Friendly Oktoberfest. Since 2015 the all-volunteer committee that raises funds, plans and carries out the festival has been working hard to ensure the fall festival weekend has something for the whole family. Waverly Oktoberfest brings together games your family can enjoy together, musical acts that cover the range from polka and German folk music to high-engergy party acts, activities that young patrons can do on their own, a great selection of foods, craft beers, and other beverages a competitive cornhole tournament and brilliant fireworks display over the Cedar River. Waverly’s Oktoberfest celebration is put on by the community for the community.
Waverly Oktoberfest Schedule
- Full Schedule
- Polka Music
- Rock Acts
- Pop Acts
- Games
- For Kids
Friday
6th October 2023
4:00 PM
Gates Open
Everything kicks off Friday at 4 PM. Waverly Oktoberfest schedule packs a lot into 7 1/2 hours. The keg tapping ceremony, traditional German folk music, higher energy acts, and a spectacular fireworks display over the Cedar River. Plus inflatables for children.Â
4:00 PM
The Eisenachers
Friday’s festivities kick off with The Eisenachers, a Waverly favorite playing the polkas you love. The Eisenachers, named for Waverly’s sister city, Eisenach Germany is made up of legends in Waverly’s concert band community.
5:00 PM
UNI International Dance Team
Learn traditional folk dances from the friendly students of UNI’s International Dance Team. There will be several moments throughout Oktoberfest weekend where you’ll want to dance. Knowing some steps can make the weekend even more fun. These UNI students are gracious teachers, fun to watch, and just wonderful young folks to meet.
6:00 PM
Keg Tapping Ceremony
The party doesn't really begin until the ceremonial keg is tapped. Join us at the Denver Insurance Agency - First Maxfield Insurance Festzelt Tent as our guest of honor pounds in the tap. Gather around and get some in your glass. Zicke zacke, hoi hoi hoi!
6:00 PM
Barefoot Becky
From BarefootBecky.com. Mix a cup of German, Czech & Slovenian style polkas and waltzes, a cup of country, two steps, foxtrots and big band, a dash of latin and line dances, and party favorites to taste. Once it’s to your liking, you’ve got a recipe for a band that’s really cookin’! That’s what you get when you see a live performance featuring Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen, a group based out of Mt Vernon, Iowa
6:30 PM
Keg Toss Competition
The Keg Toss is a game of strength and technique. There’s no better chance to feel like a Muskelprotz or a starke Frau than to whip this hunk of metal across the park. Impressive or otherwise, a friendly crowd is there to cheer you on. Our Friday night competition is a great chance to warm up a bit. On Saturday, we play again with sashes on the line. Both Friday and Saturday, there are men’s and women’s measurements scored separately.Â
8:00 PM
Nestle’ Fireworks Over the Cedar River
Courtesy of Nestle’ Beverage, Waverly's Oktoberfest features a spectacular fireworks display over the Cedar River. The show can be seen throughout Waverly, but there is no better view than from within Kohlmann Park, on the Festival grounds, raising a glass with friends. From the park, every shot into the air, reflects back on the river, making the display twice as brilliant.
8:15 PM
The Bar Flyz
Immediately following the Fireworks, on the Cedar River Stage, catch The Bar Flyz -Mitch, Mico and Ryon – as they play rock and country classics along with some more contemporary selections. Wherever The Bar Flyz are, you have a party.
9:30 PM
Not Quite Brothers
Not Quite Brothers are Nothin’ but a Good Time. Playing all of the most fun rock from the 70s and 80s, you won’t find a hotter classic rock band than this. The band hails from the Twin Cities, but when you rock Northeast Iowa as often and as intensely as they have, you can call Northeast Iowa part of their realm.Â
Midnight
Gates Close
We close up the grounds at midnight, but there is still a full day of fun ahead. Come back Saturday for more bands, games, drinks, food and fun.
Saturday
7th October 2023
11:00 AM
Gates Open
11:00 AM
Family Fun Zone Inflatables Open
The Family Fun Zone at Waverly Oktoberfest features a number of activities for kids, including multiple inflatables, face painting, a pull train, pony rides, and a rock wall. Events are available at different times throughout the day. The inflatables will be in operation from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM.
Noon
Flights Available in the beverage Garden
From 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM on Saturday, we will have flights of our draught beverages available. This is a great time to try some of our less-familiar German and Iowan beers. Find out what you love, and learn a little bit about the differences. 1 beverage ticket gets you a flight of 3 beverages.
Noon
Cornhole Tournament
This competitive buy-in bags tournament gets better every year. In 2023, Waverly Oktoberfest is again partnered with Reggie Reicks to deliver a standardized and fun competition. $40 buy-in gets you seven games guaranteed and a chance at the 100% plus $500 payout. Registration begins at noon. Bags fly at 1:00. All registration happens in that hour before play.Â
Noon
Pony Go Round
A regular feature at Waverly Oktoberfest has been the Pony-Go-Round. Ponies rigged to a carousel-like structure saunter in circles. You can catch the ponies from noon until 4 PM.
Noon
Barrel Train Rides Begin
A tractor-pulled barrel train is always a crowd-pleaser among children and has even gained international acclaim. Train rides begin at noon, and continue until 4 PM.Â
Noon
Malek’s Fishermen Band
Traditional German folk and polka with a party flair, Malek’s Fisherman Band won us over in 2021, and we’re so excited to have them back on stage at Waverly Oktoberfest in 2023.
2:30 PM
Hammerschlagen Contest
Test your aim and pounding strength as rivals take turns striking a nail. The player to get her/his nail flush in fewer swings moves on. It’s free and just for fun… well, there is a sash at stake, No experience expected, but there will be opportunities to practice during the festival. Also watch for a new twist on the game Saturday evening.
3:00 PM
CRAZE Homebrew Tasting Event
Local craft home brewers share their work. Try interestingly delicious beers from area zymurgy enthusiasts. Your beverage tickets get you a pour, and everything you give them goes toward curing real thirst. Proceeds go to charity, helping communities around the world establish wells for clean water. Tasting ends at 7 PM.
4:00 PM
Heidelberg German Band
Since 1969, the Heidelberg German Band has been entertaining families in Quincy, Illinois and far beyond.Â
4:00 PM
Hurling Hatchets Trailer
Hurling Hatchets bring their mobile unit to Waverly Oktoberfest. If you haven’t tossed hatchets before, you will want to take a shot. It’s free to play and a ton of fun.Â
4:30 PM
Keg Toss Competition
Women and men compete in the Keg Toss, a competition to see how far you can fling an empty keg. This game is a lot of fun to watch and even more fun to join in. It’s okay if you don’t set a world record. However far you hurl it, it’s a great time, and the crowd is there to cheer you on. This event takes place at the southside of Kohlmann Park
6:00 PM
Steinhoist Contest at the Cedar River Stage
Test your strength and stamina with a Stein Hoist. Men, women, and children all take turns seeing how long they can hold a full stein. Some start to shake after seconds. Others stay solid for several minutes. Either way, the festival is more fun when you join in this free competition.
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8:00 PM
Southland on the Cedar River Stage
Since you saw Southland at the 2022 Waverly Oktoberfest, they’ve played every great party in the area. We are excited to have them back for ’23, playing everything from country classics to modern Americana.Â
9:30 PM
POP Rocks!
Pop ROCKS is a High Energy Immersive Experience! Hit after hit, they bring you into the show. Every song is a new highlight with lively music, brilliant visuals, magnificent costumes and an energy that drives you through the last few decades – all of the most exhilarating moments in pop, rock, and more from the last few decades.
Midnight
Gates Close
04:00 PM
The Eisenachers
Local German Folk Music
08:00 PM
The Bar Flyz
Local Rock Band on the River Stage
9:30 PM
The HYPE
Rock Party Band from Twin Cities, Minnesota, covering rock hits from the 80s and 90s – See Description and Videos
Description and Videos   Add to Your Calendar   Event on Facebook   The Hype on Facebook   The Hype Website
09:30 PM
POP Rocks!
A Loud, Party Act featuring Hits from the Last Few Decades
06:30 PM
Keg Toss Competition
A Game of Strength and Technique
Friday 05:00 PM
UNI International Dance Team
Traditional Dance Demonstration
Saturday Noon
Inflatable in Kid Zone Open
Several Inflatable Attractions for Children
Schedule at a Glance
Friday, 10/6/2023
4:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Traditional Music, Kids’ Zone, Rock Acts, Fireworks & More
Saturday, 10/7/2023
11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Bags Tournament, Traditional Music, Kids’ Zone, Home Brews, Games, Rock Acts & More
Tickets
Adults – $10 for the weekend
Students w/ ID – $5
Children 12 & Under – FREE
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