Keg tapping to open Oktoberfest

AMANA — A Bürgermeister pre-party and parade will kick off the 60th Oktoberfest in Amana Friday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Amana Heritage Museum, 705 44th Ave.

The Amana Colonies Bürgermeister, Jon Childers, invites everyone to join him and his crew for the official keg tapping pre-party and parade in the Amana Heritage Museum Courtyard. The tradition marks the official kickoff.

Admission to the museum is free all day. The first 250 brats are free. Beer is available for purchase.

All Festhalle admission and keg tapping ticket sales during the pre-party directly benefit the Amana Heritage Society.

Single-day admission to the Festhalle is $15; two-day tickets are $30.

At 1:45 p.m. the Bürgermeister Float Parade departs from the museum grounds and heads to the Festhalle for the ceremonial tapping of the keg. Admission is required to enter the Festhalle grounds with the procession.

The Amana Colonies Oktoberfest is Iowa’s oldest continuous Oktoberfest celebration, as well as one of the oldest in the country.