About 5,000 people are expected to descend on Loockerman Street in Dover for the third annual OktDoverFest celebration Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. The day will feature music, beer, food and fun for all ages. (Submitted photo)
DOVER –– On Saturday, local brews, eats and live music are taking over Loockerman Street for the third annual OktDoverFest.
“OktDoverFest celebrates Dover’s thriving small businesses, our military community, craft beverage industry and new manufacturing partners” said Amy Mullen, an organizer of the event.
“It’s Dover’s spin on the traditional German rite of passage.”
Like the German tradition, the main focus of the event is food and of course, drinks.
Food for sale will be from Angelo’s Pizza, 33 West, Mojo Loco, Haass’ On The Go and Delicious Craving. Desserts will be served up by Tre Sorelle Dolce.
More than 15 local breweries, distilleries and vineyards will have their drinks for sale
Although craft beverages are a big part of OktDoverFest, the whole family is invited to enjoy live music by CrAzy In Stereo, the Tommy Alderson Group and the Mason Dixon Band.
Loockerman Plaza will have activities for the kids, such as a moon bounce, rock wall, face painting and arts and crafts.
“We’ll have the entire plaza filled with free kids’ activities whereas in prior years we’ve only had one or two things for them to do,” Ms. Mullen said.
Games will be provided by Bounce Around Inflatables and Games in Wyoming and include giant Jenga, corn hole, giant chess and giant tic-tac-toe.
During all the street festivities, the shops along Loockerman Street between State Street and Governors Avenue will be open during the day.
Last year, OktDoverFest saw more than 3,500 visitors and this year, the organizers are expecting closer to 5,000.
“For us, our greatest joy is in seeing the community come together, talk, laugh, enjoy good food, and dance on Loockerman Street,” Ms. Mullen said.
“There’s no greater reward to our months of hard work than seeing the smiles on 5,000 people’s faces and to see those smiles while they’re in downtown Dover.”
Each year, the organizers have chosen to donate all proceeds of the event to a charitable cause –– the USO in 2014, the beautification of downtown Dover in 2015. This year, proceeds will go toward improving downtown and funding future events.
The improvements this funding will go toward include installing and providing “Open” flags to all downtown merchants so shoppers are more easily aware of which stores are open.
History, Heritage and Hops or H3 –– an event similar to OktDoverFest held in conjunction with Dover Days, will be the beneficiary of some of the proceeds. 2017 will mark the third year of H3.
If you’d like to donate more than the proceeds from your tickets, you can make a tax-deductible donation by calling organizer Cameron Llewellyn at 359-4646.
Attendance is free but drink tickets are available on site or online at eventbrite.com, search “OktDoverFest 2016.” Costs range from $5 for a single craft beer pour to $47 for an unlimited pour passport.
OktDoverFest starts at 3 p.m. and wraps up at 9.