Oktoberfest, a Hot Springs tradition for four decades, just got a new lease on life thanks to Dave Byerly of The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Bobby Geiger of Oaklawn Racing and Gaming.

The event – believed to be one of the South’s longest-running Oktoberfest celebrations ­– was not going to be renewed for 2009 because of economic conditions. But through a collaborative effort, The Chamber and Oaklawn have come up with a way to save it.

“Arkansas Oktoberfest has been a great event for a very long time,” said Byerly. “Residents and visitors have enjoyed it for years.  Bobby and I simply felt it deserved another chance, so mark your calendars for the evening of October 17, and take your lederhosen to the cleaners.”

For the first time, this year’s Oktoberfest will be held in Oaklawn’s infield under the stars. According to Geiger, that may be the most appropriate venue in Hot Springs.

“A lot of people may not know this,” Geiger said, “but the original Oktoberfest held in Germany was a celebration built around a horse race.  So, hosting the Arkansas Oktoberfest at Oaklawn will be very similar to that very first Oktoberfest in Munich, 199 years ago.”

Geiger said there is another similarity between the Arkansas Oktoberfest and the original German Oktoberfest. 

“Since 1810, the original German Oktoberfest has survived wars, epidemics and all sorts of financial ups and downs, through good times and bad,” Geiger said.  “Dave and I think the Arkansas Oktoberfest is just as resilient.  So this year we are making ours a celebration of all the good things we have and enjoy here in our community.”

The one-evening event will feature traditional Oktoberfest food and beverages, Polka music, and, of course, the crowd-pleasing “chicken dance.”  Full details of the event will be released in early fall.

“We would not be able to do this without Oaklawn’s assistance,” said Byerly. “The Chamber sincerely appreciates Oaklawn stepping up to the plate with us. But we’re really going to need community support.  So if you want to see this great and fun event continue, mark your calendars now for October 17.”