Heart of Biddeford’s third annual Oktoberfest will take place on Sept. 27. (Courtesy of Delilah Poupore/Heart of Biddeford)

Heart of Biddeford’s Oktoberfest is back with beer, bratwursts and bands all afternoon long on Saturday, Sept. 27, in downtown Biddeford.

It’s the event’s third year, but its first time on Pearl Street, and Heart of Biddeford Director Delilah Poupore is pulling out all the stops for a great day.

“How can you beat a sunny day and people in lederhosen enjoying local beers,” Poupore said.

To celebrate the fall season, Heart of Biddeford plans to build on everything it has done with Oktoberfests in the past, making key improvements like implementing faster lines and adding new activities.

It’s a chance to step into Bavarian culture, Poupore said, with a market selling handmade Oktoberfest items like leather works and cozy crafts, inflatable axe throwing, and cornhole available all day long.

“We’ll still have our photo booths and other fun things to do while you’re hanging out, too,” Poupore said.

Over the past two years, Heart of Biddeford has found that people typically come to spend a few hours at Oktoberfest, Poupore said. Adding key elements like more tables and chairs, faster lines, and more activities will make this year’s event run more smoothly, she said.

A happy reveler at the 2023 Biddeford Oktoberfest. (Courtesy of Delilah Poupore/Heart of Biddeford)

The biggest draw to Oktoberfest is the beer and Bavarian food, of which Poupore said there will be plenty.

Biddeford breweries Lucky Pigeon and Banded Brewing will bring a selection of their beers, as well as Brickyard Hollow and Batson River.

On the food front, it’s all about bratwurst and pretzels.

“The big thing people look forward to is Omi House,” Poupore said. “They have bratwurst and sauerkraut, and Plot Twist will also be there with their big pretzels. It’s all delicious.”

It isn’t a Heart of Biddeford festival without live music, and the Oktoberfest line up doesn’t disappoint.

To add to the Oktoberfest energy, Boston-based band the Oom Pa Pas will perform Bavarian music for the first half of the day, and local artist Jason Roman will take over for the second half of the day.

“He’s not Oktoberfest themed, but he’s a great vibe for hanging out on a sunny fall day with the community,” Poupore said.

For Poupore, the best part of Oktoberfest is getting into the theme and stepping out of the ordinary.

“It’s a celebration that life doesn’t have to be what it always is,” she said. “I think we need some of that.”

Oktoberfest kicks off at 1 p.m. on Sept. 27, with VIP early access starting at noon. Tickets are available through the Heart of Biddeford website.