Gather in front of the main stage under Crown Center’s majestic terrace tent and the Polka Tent with covered seating for more than 1,000 merrymakers. Sit on benches with friends and family at our large Bierhalle-style tables and enjoy authentic Oktoberfest bier, food, and music. Celebrate, toast, sing, and sway – PROST!
Rain or shine, the music will play, and the bier will pour under the big tents!
Entertainment Schedule
Friday
Main Stage (South)
| 5:00PM–6:00PM | Das Ist Lustig |
| 6:30PM | Opening Ceremony |
| 7:00PM–7:30PM | Das Ist Lustig |
| 7:30PM | Costume Contest – Best Dressed |
| 8:00PM–9:15PM | Die Schlauberger |
| 9:15PM | Masskrugstemmen M & F Finals |
| 9:30PM–11:00PM | Die Schlauberger |
Polka Stage (North)
| 7:00PM–11:00PM | Bavarski Band – Break at 8:30 |
Games Area
| Level 1 (Street) | Giant Corn Hole & Connect 4 |
| Level 2 | Hammerschlagen |
| Level 3 | Corn Hole |
| 7:30PM | Masskrugstemmen* |
*Male & Female Qualifiers Level 2 (Check in at tent)
Wein/Street Tent
| 5:00PM-7:30PM | Baric Brothers |
| 7:30PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 8:30PM-11:00PM | Big Time Piano Show |
Roaming Entertainment
| 5:00PM-8:00PM | Gordie Davidson & Music Grinder |
Food Court
| 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 | Glockenspiel Performance |
Saturday
Main Stage (South)
| 11:00AM–2:30PM | Happy Wanderers |
| 2:30PM | Schuhplattler – German Dancers |
| 3:00PM–7:00PM | Uber Cool – 4:30 (break/table change) |
| 7:00PM–7:30PM | Masskrugstemmen M & F Finals |
| 7:30PM–11:00PM | Die Schlauberger |
| 9:00PM–9:15PM | Costume Contest – Best Dressed |
Polka Stage (North)
| 2:00PM-6:30PM | Das Ist Lustig – Break at 4:30 |
| 4:30PM & 6:30PM | Schuhplattler – German Dancers |
| 7:00PM-11:00PM | Bavarski Band – Break at 8:30 |
Wein/Street Tent
| 12:00PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 3:00PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 1:00PM–5:00PM | Polka on Steroids – Break at 3:00 |
| 5:00PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 6:30PM | Wein Presentation & Tasting |
| 7:30PM–11:00PM | Big Time Piano Show |
Games Area
| Level 1-Street | Giant Corn Hole & Connect 4 |
| Level 2 | Hammerschlagen |
| Level 3 | Cornhole |
| 3:30PM & 5:30 PM | Masskrugstemmen* |
*Male & Female Qualifiers Level 2 (Check in at Tent)
Roaming Entertainment
| 12:00PM-6:00PM | Gordie Davidson & Music Grinder |
| 1:00PM-4:00PM | Stilt walker/Juggler |
| 4:00PM-7:00PM | Magician |
| 4:00PM-8:00PM | Oktoberfest Brass Band |
Food Court
| 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 | Glockenspiel Performance |
Bands
Die Schlauberger
A seven-piece Alpine Rock powerhouse whose mission is “keeping the traditionalists on their feet and the new generation engaged.” With a stage setup including vocals, guitars, bass, drums, accordions, fiddles and horns, die Schlauberger (German for “know it all”) performs sets blending energetic renditions of German favorites to medleys of American classic rock and pop.
Das Ist Lustig
“From Du Du, to Du Hast! Das ist Lustig plays a repertoire of traditional Biergarten favorites nestled up to charming folk instrument show pieces, spiced up with parodies of beloved 1980’s hits, American favorites, a sprinkling of originals, and rounded off with high energy selections from 20 decades! Yodeling, Alphorn calling, Schunkeling, Bell ringing, Ponytail twirling, Audience participation, Infectious energy and Gemutlichkeit, all included! Prost Y’all!”
Bavarski Band
What do you get when you mix one of the hottest jazz organists with one of the most versatile drummers around, an opera singer, and NJ’s finest rock & roll singer? A Polka Sensation- BAVARSKI! Of course, these aren’t just any musicians putting on lederhosen and pumping out Roll out the Barrel!! You have not just 1 but 2 grammy nominated musicians on board! They put the ROCK in polka and know how to get the party started.
ÜberCool
ÜberCool brings together German fest standards and party rock to make every event full of Gemütlichkeit. “Mustang Sally” has been replaced by “Mercedes Heidi,” and their high-energy German standards get the party going. From “Roll out the Barrel” to Rammstein, ÜberCool’s show is entertaining and full of German flavor.
Big Time Piano Band
Big Time Dueling Pianos, from Kansas City MO., is an all-request, interactive show. The audience has the opportunity to participate in the show by requesting popular songs that they want to hear. We play a wide variety of music from the past 60 years consisting of dance-pop, rock, country, hip-hop and rap.
Big Time dueling pianos is comprised of two piano players and a drummer. All the band members sing. Our presentation is a combination of traditional dueling pianos and a party band; the show is spontaneous, no set lists, upbeat, high energy, danceable, non-stop and most of all, a lot of fun!
Polka on Steroids
Led by accomplished pianist and accordionist Bram Wijnands, who has crafted a unique entertainment experience for more than 25 years in Kansas City, Polka on Steroids leads audiences through a show of polka and Kansas City-style fun.
Happy Wanderers
The Happy Wanderers, based in Kansas City, organized in 2014. A quintet of wind instruments, our players have performed with a variety of bands and ensembles around the metro. We’re a German band that likes to have fun with original arrangements of traditional German, Austrian and Swiss songs, plus plenty of not-so-traditional songs to entertain everyone. We’ve played for Oktoberfests, Maifests, community events and lots of other gatherings that call for good music and Gemütlichkeit.
Gordie Davidson and his Music Grinder
The 2022 edition of the KC Bier Oktoberfest will bring back Grinder Gordie with
his genuine German Street Organ. Gordie is a retired Army Engineer who
developed an interest in Buskering during his overseas tours in West Berlin and
Hanau, Germany. After Europe, he entertained in and around the Greater Kansas City Area for 21-years prior to retiring in West Michigan. His street organ was built by Josef Raffin in Überlingen, Germany, located in southern Bavaria near Lake Konstanz. Grinder Gordie is an interactive ground attraction that encourages audience participation. All spectators are invited to come grind out a tune and earn a Certificate of Performance. Bring your mobile phones to shoot some awesome video.
Baric Brothers
Born and raised in the Kansas City area, the Baric Brothers hail from KCK’s historic Strawberry Hill. The two have been performing around the city since they were both in high school. Both Jim and Joe studied accordion under Polka legend Don Lipovac and have a solid and extensive repertoire of music that spans most of Europe and America. The two of them have performed around the country, from LA to Washington D.C., Raise a stein as you give them a listen and let their alter egos Hans and Franz pump you up! Ziggy Zoggy Oy Oy Oy!
ALPHORN HORNS
Look for these 2 roaming the grounds on Friday and Saturday. They will begin the opening ceremony on Friday night and help kick off KC Oktoberfest!
Games & Competitions
In the center of the festival, but the Games & Competitions Area will host three classic German-style competitions that are annual favorites, equally fun for the competitors and spectators! Classic lawn games like bag toss and giant-sized Connect 4 will be available for festival guests to enjoy.
LINKS ARE LISTED BELOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE MASSKRUGSTEMMEN & COSTUME CONTESTS!
Friday @ 7:30PM- Masskrugstemmen Male and Female Qualifiers in Games Area
Friday @ 7:30PM- Best Dressed Bavarian Costume Contest on Main Stage
Friday @ 9:15PM- Masskrugstemmen Finals on Main Stage
Saturday @ 3:30PM & 5:30PM- Masskrugstemmen Male & Female Qualifiers in Games Area
Saturday @ 7:00PM- Masskrugstemmen Male & Female Finals on Main Stage
Saturday @ 9:00PM- Best Dressed Bavarian Costume Contest on Main Stage
To participate in the Masskrugstemmen or Best Dressed Bavarian, you must register using this link:
Masskrugstemmen: A test of strength and endurance, Masskrugstemmen is a stein-hoisting competition in which the goal is to outlast your competitors in hoisting a full liter of bier for as long as you can stand. We’ll have men’s and women’s competitions, both of which will follow the rules set forth by the U.S. Stein Holding Association. If you plan to compete, be sure to study up!
Hammerschlagen: German for “hammer strike,” Hammerschlagen is a group game in which participants compete against each other to drive nails into a wooden stump, a skill which requires more finesse than power. A game manager will be on-site to assist with setup, reviewing the rules and keeping the games safe and enjoyable for all.
“Best Dressed Bavarian”
Break out your lederhosen and dirndl and compete in our annual Bavarian-Style “Best-Dressed” competition, with rounds for both men and women. Get creative and do your best to win the crowd!
Kids & Family Activities
FREE family-friendly activities including giant connect 4, giant jenga, leapin lizard, skeeball, ricochet, king of the hill, bags, an extreme race track with giant tricycles and pedal carts, and various arts and crafts activities including pretzel necklace, a coloring station and more!
PHOTO BOOTH
Stop by and get take some fun photos with lots of different props to create great memories of the weekend shenanigans! Thanks to Renewal by Anderson for providing the photo booth.
Marketplace
Local merchandise and apparel, Bavarian-inspired souvenirs, and other goods!
The Plaid Badger
Handmade dog accessories including collars, leashes, waste bag holders, and bandanas. Pick out some of our cute Oktoberfest items for your favorite drinking buddy. Locally and lovingly made in KC.
EaRationale
Hand-make, customize, and repurpose all sorts of jewelry.
Deutsches Haus
Hats imported from Germany, feathers, and pins.
Apple Pie Painting
Turn your pet photo into a custom work of art. Apple Pie Painting creates hand-drawn custom portraits of your pets. A great gift for the pet-lover in your life!
AMBER TREASURES
Amber and silver jewelry including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and watches.
Knight Owl Design makes prints, apparel, stickers, and accessories with Kansas City, pop culture, and beer-themed art. Knight Owl Design’s art style uses bright and colorful icons to represent the people, places, and hobbies that bring people joy.
Ivy Lena
Handcrafted jewelry and accessories.
DELTA JEWELRY
Handcrafted jewelry and accessories.
Novelty Trade
German gifts, T shirts, hats, jerseys, and flags including your favorite soccer teams. Also, traditional flower halos and hats for all.
Illumiwear
Original Light UP Scarf. Light UP Mantel Scarf, Light UP Table Runner, Solar Powered Light UP Garden Flag, Light UP Canine Collar and Cape!
All our products are rechargeable, and we donate $3 from sale of each to the Best Buddies Jobs Program – working tirelessly to secure employment for the intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) community.
KC Bier Company
Your go-to stop for KC Oktoberfest commemorative shirts, KC Bier Company shirts, hoodies, bottle openers and other brewery swag.
Inflatable hammock/lounger in lots of colors
DRINK IN NATURE
Handcrafted Apparel & Goods Inspired by Nature
German Culture
KC Oktoberfest aims to not only recreate an authentic Munich-style Oktoberfest with bier, food and music, but to also promote German culture and history in the Kansas City region. The German Culture exhibit area will feature a walk-through exhibit by the Jackson County Historical Society highlighting the migration of Germans to the Midwest.
Glockenspiel
The Blautaler Schuhplattler of KC perform short skits based on the history of the Glockenspiel Clock of Munich Germany. Performances on Friday at 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00. Saturday, they perform at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00.
Kansas City Library
Germans and bier have been a part of Kansas City for decades. Learn about the Tivoli Beer Garden and other historical buildings that was once stood in the location of the Crown Center area we know of today.
