Oktobrewfest Saturday: Pumping Blood Through the Heart of Downtown Greeley

Sunshine in Lincoln Park

Clear skies and a blazing sun greeted Greeley's Oktobrewfest in Lincoln Park on Saturday. For many, Oktobrewfest is the event that walks Greeley into fall, which for plenty of residents is the favorite season of the year.

A Morning Kickoff

Saturday's festivities opened with a performance by the Greeley Children's Chorale, which brought parents and families through the gates early. Daniela Hernandez of the Greeley Downtown Development Authority emceed the opening events. Out on the grass, two volleyball courts got games going as the Chorale wrapped up its set. (Read more in our companion story on the Chorale.)

Local Pours

The beverage lineup leaned local. Breweries on hand included Greeley's own WeldWerks Brewing, Crabtree Brewing and Yetters Brewing Co., plus TightKnit Brewing from neighboring Evans, alongside distillers including 477 Distilling and Syntax Spirits.

Kettle Corn, Lederhosen, and Polka

The food matched the drinks, with plenty of spaetzle, brats and schnitzel to go around, plus kettle corn for something sweet. Lederhosen dotted the crowd. Families had a full kids' area with bounce houses, slides, activities and games. The grown-ups had games of their own, including an oversized beer pong played with oil barrels in place of cups. Across the park, the sound was chatter, polka, and laughter.

A Harvest Moon Night

After a hot day, the evening turned pleasant, and it drew a crowd. It was quite the turnout. As the sun went down, the kids started a dance party, and it wasn't long before the adults joined in.

The sunset gave way to a full moon, too. Saturday's was the Harvest Moon, the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, rising over the festival just days into fall.

Onstage, a full band carried the night with a set of funk and rock, Stevie Wonder hits included. The timing was tight, the drums hit hard, and the vocals kept pace with every bit of it.

From the heat of the afternoon to the cool of the night, the crowd stayed in a celebratory mood. It was downtown Greeley doing what it does well: bringing the community together in one place.

What's Next for Downtown: Talking With the DDA

Daniela Hernandez handles events and marketing for the Greeley Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the team behind the festival. Asked for her favorite part of Oktobrewfest, she didn't hesitate: it's the community. She loves watching people come downtown and reconnect with old friends and family. "It's a great time," she said.

When the tents come down, the next big thing on the calendar is brand new. Fork Around & Find Out is Greeley's first-ever restaurant weeks, running October 19 through November 1. Hernandez said the goal is to show that Greeley has great places to eat, not just downtown but across the whole city. Participating spots will offer specials priced at $15, $25, or both.

To see which restaurants are taking part, check the Downtown Greeley events calendar.

Her answer to how residents can support downtown was simple: keep showing up, and enjoy it however you like, whether that's owning a business, volunteering, shopping, or just taking a walk. To keep up with what's next, check the Downtown Greeley events calendar or sign up for the DDA newsletter.

"We just need people, and we need people to continue to pump blood through the heart of the downtown." — Daniela Hernandez, Greeley DDA

GreeAlityTV was there to cover it all. If you missed Oktobrewfest this year, make plans to be there next year. If this year's turnout is any sign, it's only getting bigger.