The Best Parts of Minster Oktoberfest Haven't Changed

Sure the beer is good, but that's not what makes Minster Oktoberfest the best

There are a lot of great things about living in this part of Ohio. We have hard-working people. We have strong communities. We have traditions that have been passed down for generations. We have homemade cooking, musical talent, and perhaps most importantly, people who still make time for each other. For me, there may be no better example of all of that coming together than the Minster Oktoberfest.

Every year, thousands of people descend on Minster for a weekend of German food, music, beer, dancing, a parade, and plenty of other fun. The festival itself estimates that more than 80,000 people come to town over the weekend. But those numbers really don't explain what makes Oktoberfest special. As I reflect on the 2026 edition of Oktoberfest this past weekend, my favorite parts really haven't changed from year to year, but I appreciate them more than ever.

The Music

Just another song from Klaberheads

Four separate stages at Oktoberfest produce everything from energetic polkas to late-night party anthems. There is something about live music in a crowded little Ohio town on a beautiful fall weekend that just feels right. Believe me, Minster does a masterful job of coordinating it all.

This year my favorites acts were the same as recent years. The bands Karma's Pawn on Friday and Klaberheads on Sunday. If you've seen either group perform elsewhere like I have, they're always great. If you've seen them perform at Minster Oktoberfest, they're simply unforgettable and one of the reasons I love coming back. Karma’s Pawn kicking off the festival on Friday night is the perfect introduction to the fun that lies ahead all weekend. And Klaberheads closing on Sunday afternoon is Minster's official soundtrack to the end of Oktoberfest. You know the weekend is over and you're not quite ready to say goodbye.

Then There's the Food

It required standing in line, but was worth it

Let's be honest. You don't go to Oktoberfest to count calories. You go to eat, and Minster delivers. There are so many choices that it's almost impossible to have just one favorite. Brats. German potato salad. Tenderloins. Sauerkraut balls. Mini doughnuts. Cream puffs. But for me, my top pick is the Reuben. There's something wonderfully pure about getting my Reuben, finding a picnic table, listening to music, and enjoying the taste of corned beef with a Märzen-style lager. 

On top of that, the food isn't just about satisfying my taste buds. Most Oktoberfest food stands are operated by local organizations, with proceeds helping those groups support the community. So when you buy that Reuben or whatever your Oktoberfest favorite happens to be, you are actually helping your neighbors. That's pretty hard to beat.

But the Best Part is the People

For me though, the very best part of Oktoberfest isn't the music. It isn't the food. It's catching up with friends. You can walk into Oktoberfest with absolutely no plans and somehow spend the entire day running into people you know. You see an old college roommate. You bump into someone from work. You chat with a former high school classmate. Someone introduces you to somebody you've never met. I mentioned maybe heading back home to Russia, but kept talking for hours. That's what I love about this area. That's what I love about Oktoberfest.

We're all busy. Everybody has jobs, families, responsibilities, ball games, appointments and a million other things going on. But once a year at Oktoberfest, we can agree that it's okay to put some of that on hold for a little while. We get together. We eat. We listen to some music. We laugh. We catch up.

That's Minster Oktoberfest. And that's a pretty darn good thing about living in this part of Ohio.

A perfect day for a small town parade and my favorite marching band