Edmonds Oktoberfest
Presented by Edmonds Rotary
We appreciated the opportunity to speak with Eric Wilkinson from King 5 news regarding our decision to cancel Edmonds Oktoberfest 2021 due to concerns around rising COVID-19 cases.
The full article is available at King5 News
Rotary Club of Edmonds Announces Postponment Edmonds Oktoberfest
With COVID rate hitting an all-time high in Snohomish County last week, Club opts for public safety for community fundraising event.
Edmonds, Wash. – September 8, 2021 – The Edmonds Rotary Club, a proud contributor to the Edmonds community since 1951, announced today that Edmonds Oktoberfest has been postponed, due to rise in COVID cases in King and Snohomish counties. It had been scheduled for September 24th and 25th at Frances Anderson Center field in downtown Edmonds.
This change was made as a safety precaution given the current COVID-19 environment. The rate of new COVID cases reached an all-time high last week at 464 per 100,000 people, according to data released Tuesday, Sept. 7, by the Snohomish Health District.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said Maggie Peterson, Edmonds Rotary President. “We very much want Edmonds Oktoberfest to be a family-friendly traditional event but the current rise in COVID-19 cases, combined with the start of the school year, creates a situation where there would be many vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals co-mingling. We are looking forward to bringing back Oktoberfest (or similar event) including the Kids Korner and all corresponding fun activities in 2022!”
Edmonds Oktoberfest Founder and Committee Co-Chair David Kaufer added, “We are dependent on volunteers to run this event, with more than 170 volunteer slots identified. We do not feel comfortable placing them, as well as attendees and other participants, in a situation where they may be at a higher risk of catching or transmitting this highly contagious variant.”
The club plans to hold a similar event in 2022 and hopes to make an announcement in January 2022. Those who have purchased tickets for Edmonds Oktoberfest may request a refund by emailing [email protected]. Funds raised by Edmonds Rotary support the Edmonds community, including scholarships to local students, providing more than $40,000 to Edmonds Waterfront Center and more than $150,000 for a new Inclusive Playground planned at the new Civic Park.
The previously planned 5K and Pet Parade have also been postponed in 2021 with plans to bring both back in 2022.
More information about Edmonds Rotary can be found at EdmondsRotary.com.
Rotary Club of Edmonds Announces Return of In-Person Edmonds Oktoberfest
Scheduled for September 24th and 25th, the event will raise funds for Rotary programs including local student scholarships and support of Edmonds Waterfront Center.
Edmonds, Wash. – June 14, 2021 – The Edmonds Rotary Club, a proud contributor to the Edmonds community since 1951, announced today the return of Edmonds Oktoberfest, scheduled for September 24th and 25th at Francis Anderson Center field in downtown Edmonds.
This will be the 2nd in-person version of Edmonds Oktoberfest, as last year’s fundraiser was virtual, due to the pandemic. The 2019 event was the first event of its kind in the area, headlined by a brew fest featuring local breweries where visitors can taste samples of their favorite flavors. Wine and root beer will also be available.
“We’re so thrilled to bring back Edmonds Oktoberfest as the response to our first event was overwhelming. It’s clear it will become a new favorite city tradition for our community,” said Edmonds Rotary President Beth Kealy. “We’re going to have more breweries, food trucks and fun with our own Edmonds twist on the traditional Bavarian fall festival.”
Kealy noted, “it won’t only be beer and wine though – Edmonds Oktoberfest will also be a family-friendly event – with activities and food for kids and parents alike.”
These activities include:
Th 2021 Edmonds Oktoberfest is still in the planning stages and new details will be released soon through the website EdmondsOktoberfest.com and on the Facebook page Facebook.com/EdmondsRotaryOktoberfest.
Edmonds Oktoberfest founder and Edmonds Rotary Past-President David Kaufer said, “Supporting the Edmonds Oktoberfest is a great opportunity for our community, local breweries and businesses alike help us build a new chapter to the event that has the potential to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars that we can put back into our amazing community,” said Kaufer.
More information about Edmonds Rotary can be found at EdmondsRotary.com.