ALBEMARLE — The seasonal Oktoberfest event will be making an appearance in Stanly County this weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, the Badin Brews taphouse in downtown Albemarle is scheduled to host its fourth-annual, all-day fall street festival that will take place between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. at 124 S. 1st Street.
“We can’t wait to see you at the Fall Street Festival,” event coordinator Nikki Clatterbuck said in a promotional advertisement. “Gather your friends and family for a day full of fun, food, and entertainment. Whether you’re enjoying the music, exploring local vendors, or taking part in activities, it’s an event you won’t want to miss!”
Co-presented along with Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation and Young Country Customs LLC, Oktoberfest will feature over 70 vendors that range from local breweries to food trucks, along with live music, gem mining and other activities for all ages.
Admission and parking for the festival are both free of charge; attendees can also purchase $5 beer tokens.
Previous fall street festivals have featured vendor appearances from Southern Range Brewing Company, Sycamore Brewing, Victory Brewing Company, Cabarrus Brewing Company, Four Saints Brewing Company, Lenny Boy Brewing Company, Wise Man Brewing, Legal Remedy Brewing, and Catawba Brewing Company.
Food options at the festival have previously included Wildfire Pizza, Mana4U, Kasen’s Krab Shack, Mike’s Vegan Cookout, Trixi’s Mexican Street Food, Sweeter Than Honey Concessions, Duck Donuts, Golden Gals Funnel Cakes, Nomad Coffee, and The Boba Tea Bar.
Badin Brews opened in the summer of 2021 and has continued to expand the scope of its entertainment outreach in the downtown Albemarle area, culminating in this latest festival.
Local political officials in Albemarle have taken notice of the business’ success.
“Badin Brews single-handedly as a business has brought more people to the streets of downtown Albemarle for a festival than any festival that the city of Albemarle ever sponsored could generate traffic for,” Albemarle Councilmember Dexter Townsend said of the taphouse at a recent council meeting. “We’ve put a lot of investment in downtown and we’ve established a social district.”
Any interested vendor applicants can still sign up to attend the festival with a $75 payment for a 10×10 foot spot; applications are available at the Oktoberfest social media pages. All event sponsorship proceeds will assist in funding police and firefighter presence, permits and licenses, marketing and advertising, as well as music and entertainment.
The street festival isn’t the only fall-themed event coming up in Albemarle — Downtown Trick or Treat is set to take place on Oct. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A costume contest at 5 p.m. will be open to children ages 10-and-under at Courthouse Square, while a trick-or-treat session will be happening at businesses along North Street and West Main Street.
Participating businesses and organizations include the City of Albemarle Fire Department, Albemarle Police Department, CrossFit Albemarle, Albemarle Music Store, Armadillo Axe Throwing, Inc, BoHo Goddess of Albemarle, Divine Real Estate Boutique, Five Points Public House, and GloryBeans CoffeeHouse.
All upcoming holiday-related events in downtown Albemarle can be found at albemarledowntown.com.