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
Tiffany Barats is dressed in Bavarian attire as she serves drinks at the 2016 Oktoberfest Festival in First Tennessee Pavilion.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.