Oktupperfest/Brewfest returns to Flanders Park Saturday

by Dan McClelland

For the third time in as many years, the combined Oktupperfest/ Brewfest returns this Saturday to Flanders Park.

Hosted by the Town of Tupper Lake Recreation Department, this annual event combines family fun, live entertainment, and scenic Adirondack views of Raquette Pond into a day filled with seasonal festivities.

Fall festivals are for family fun!

The Oktupperfest has been a mainstay of autumn entertainment and enjoyment for thousands of North Country residents for over 50 years and for decades it was the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce’s biggest event.

In the old days when it was staged at the Big Tupper Ski Center, it was two days of Bavarian-style fun on the slopes, and boasted free chairlift rides up the mountain so folks could enjoy the foliage splendor.

For years it was the chamber’s biggest fundraiser.

In recent years, after the ski center closed, it was tried without its past success in the outer areas of the municipal park.

It ran for several years on the grounds of the Tupper Lake Country Club.

When the chamber board disbanded the organization three years ago and events here became the province of the town’s fledgling recreation department, it was moved to Flanders Park with its new Sunset Stage bandshell, and combined with the department’s new Brewfest.

The two events now go hand in hand- for a combined and very popular fall event here.

Returning this year will be many children’s activities, in the spirit of the family event. There will again be bouncy houses, pumpkin painting and games for kids throughout the afternoon and early evening.

Along with those will also be what the hosts are calling “sensory activities for kids” like a corn pit and pumpkin games, handled with skill again by Town Youth Activities Coordinator Christielee Geiger.

There’ll be a site there too where kids can have their photos taken, perched atop a pile of hay bales.

Autumn is the perfect time for family fun, and OkTupperfest delivers!

Lauren Reeves of “Lucky Clover” Sleigh Rides brought her popular hay rides up to last year’s event, giving event-goers a nice ride aboard their wagon up and down the Raquette Pond recreational walkway. Unfortunately Laura recently retired her main pulling team and they have been replaced with a younger, but not yet fully trained team. The result is she’s skipping this year’s Oktupperfest/Brewfest, according to Town Recreation Director Laura LaBarge.

Lauren also brought her team and sleigh to the recreation department’s “Holiday Stroll” through a decorated municipal park last December.

Replacing the live team to provide the necessary horsepower for the hay rides will be the town’s tractor from Little Wolf Beach and Campsite, piloted by Little Wolf’s main man, Paul Mullen. Paul may even offer a horse whinny or two that afternoon.

The event, as in every year in the past, will be again punctuated with great, live music- performed from the bandshell.

This year will be something of a community preview by Tupper Lake’s new band, “Sideshow.”

Uniting local and talented performers Max Gerstenberger, Pete Jarvis, Leon Jessie, and Aaron Mozdzier, this band is expected to deliver a high-energy, crowd-pleasing sound. Their set list features songs by Ozzy, The Tragically Hip, Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, Nirvana, and Cold.

Oktupperfest/Brewfest will again feature the varied wares of two dozen vendors, including many dispensing foods of many varieties, and others selling their crafts and souvenir products.

Says Mrs. LaBarge, it’s a great opportunity for vendors to showcase their new products, and bring back many of their tried and true ones.

For example, The Tupper Lake Lions Club, operating from its new “cook shack” with its main stays: hot dogs and hamburgers, smothered in Lions onions. That’s just one example of the delicious thing coming to the event.

A note from organizers, vendor registration is free, with donations supporting Tupper Lake youth programs appreciated. Vendors must bring their own setup, including a canopy, table, and chairs.

Back this year by popular demands is again “Kids Row,” where local, talented youngsters showcase their creativity, sell their products and gain real-world entrepreneurial experience—all while having fun.  

This is an opportunity too for adults here to support our next generation of business owners!

To register to be a vendor email tlrecattendant@gmail.com. All other inquiries should contact recdirector@townoftupperlake.com

The Brewfest piece of Saturday’s event offers the opportunity for those 21 years and older to “sip, savor and celebrate what so has been a wonderful fall.!

Recreation Department Assistant Bill Cote has produced a varied line-up of brewers coming Saturday, several from downstate areas.

Back again will be our hometown favorite, Raquette River Brewing. Back too from earlier brew events here is Valcor Brewing of Plattsburgh.

Some new breweries Bill has engaged for this year’s event are Bandstand Brew Works, Woodland Farm, Ledge Hill Brewing Co. andMeier’s Creek Brewing.