Lexington, KY - While we must bid farewell to the warm waning days of summer, there is much respite in knowing that Christ The King's Oktoberfest is directly around the corner to help us ring in the new season. For years the event has proven to be one of Lexington's must-catch festivals, uniting Lexingtonians of all walks with its assemblage of food, drink and entertainment activities that range from live music to blackjack to contests and raffles.
The festivities commence on Friday, Oct. 7 and continue through Saturday, Oct. 8, with fundraising serving as the main focus of the event. All proceeds benefit the Christ The King Parish School for educational purposes.
Event coordinator Brenda Psotka insists that the festival's success has been in providing a compelling atmosphere and entertaining ambience that transcends the usual festival experience. It remains obvious that Oktoberfest has no desire in presenting the image of a second rate carnival, instead transforming the surrounding Chevy Chase area into a buzzing, celebratory grand central.
"The festival has always been great, but we want to keep it fresh," Psotka said. "This is truly a community festival and is terrific for our outreach initiatives."
The event committee has also set out to provide festival goers all they desire, and Psotka admits with a chuckle that, "we certainly pushed the budget to make it all work."
The truly diverse nature of Oktoberfest crowds has been crucial to its longevity and lends a lively, open atmosphere that encourages and fully exhibits a demographic that stretches from children to local college students to senior citizens. It remains family-friendly while appealing to all.
Christ The King's Chevy Chase neighbors have been supportive of the festival's activities through the years which has allowed coordinators to hone Oktoberfest's execution "down to a science," according to Psotka.
She also lauds the contributions of the droves of volunteers who form the backbone of the event's execution.
"It takes about 1,000 volunteers to pull off the event, and we couldn't do this without their support," she adds.
Oktoberfest always benefits from a strong roster of musical guests that tend to attract audiences and typically get the party rolling with aplomb. "Every year our Entertainment Chair brings a unique personality to the acts booked," Psotka said.
This year's chair, Jeff Yurkoski, was responsible for compiling the weekend's performers, who represent a mixed-bag of sonic styles from blues, country, rock and bluegrass.
The event's first night will be headlined by Kentucky-bred country and rock chart-toppers Exile, most widely known for their smash Top 40 hit "Kiss You All Over" in 1978. Despite the undeniable success of their signature tune, the band also made a hugely successful foray into straight-ahead country music celebrating genre chart-climbers, some even covered by heavyweights such as Alabama.
Before Exile graces the stage to cap the evening, they will be preceded by Jessie Rose Pennington, who happens to be the daughter of the feature act's singer and guitarist J.P. Pennington -- and a burgeoning talent in her own right.
Playing the second night, Oct. 8, are the authentic bluegrass styling of Steep Canyon Rangers and hot-rodded electric blues outfit The Mojo Tones, who feature local Lexington players Joe Conkwright, host of WUKY's "Joe's Blues," and Bourbon 'n Toulouse co-owner Will Pieratt and friends.
For past attendants, Oktoberfest is a date marked on calendars with haste and anticipation. The mix of the season, the bustling crowd, delectable foods, tasty beverages and the rollicking sounds prove too gratifying a temptation to resist. Those that have not had the pleasure of going must follow the autumn currents on down to Christ The King's Oktoberfest, which repeatedly delivers an unequivocal good time. Who really misses summer, anyway?
For more information, visit www.ctkoktoberfest.com.