If you go
› What: Chattanooga Market Oktoberfest› Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd.› When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15› Admission: Free› For more information: 423-648-2496
Break out your lederhosen and dirndl skirts because Chattanooga Market's 16th annual Oktoberfest is this weekend in First Tennessee Pavilion.
The market expands its one-day event into two fun-filled days for this festival of German culture that draws locals as well as regional visitors.
Visitors will find an array of German traditions: brats, a biergarten featuring more than 99 local and seasonal craft brews, polka music from the Wurstbrats and even a chicken dance or two.
The festival includes a crowning of Mr. and Ms. Chattanooga Oktoberfest on Saturday evening. Entrants should report to the market's Carter Street stage by 6:30 p.m.
Contestants will parade before the live audience, who will decide winners by popular applause. The emcees will have final voting rights and crown the winners about 7 p.m.
Then everyone is invited to join the beer-drinking, chicken-dancing party on the front festival patio until Oktoberfest ends Saturday at 8 p.m. Radio personality Jason Walker will serve as party host.
Sunday's market will add one hour to close at 5 p.m. instead of 4 o'clock. The Wurstbrats will again be playing.
Oktoberfests in the area
* Crossville Oktoberfest: Knights of Columbus fairgrounds, 2892 Highway 70, three miles from downtown Crossville, Tenn., 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. CDT Friday-Saturday, Oct. 20-21, $7.60 ages 14 and older, $10 adult meals, $5 children’s hot-dog dinner.* Oktoberfest: Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, Ga., 6-10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 1 p.m.-midnight Saturday, 1-7 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 29; $8 Monday-Friday, $10 Saturday, free on Sunday; annual celebration of German food, music, dance. www.helenchamber.com.* Rocktoberfest: Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29, $22.95 adults, $12.95 children ages 3-12. German food, music, polka lessons, raptor shows and beautiful views of fall foliage in Chattanooga Valley. 706-820-2531.