Collaborative Oktoberfest planned for downtown Niagara Falls USA

It’s time to raise your glasses and give “Prost,” as members of the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association (DNFBA) host a collaborative Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The German-themed activities will be held throughout several DNFBA member locations and compliment Old Falls Street’s 10th annual Oktoberfest outdoor street festival, complete with German-themed food, beer, decorated tents and live music by the German American musicians.

All participating venues are within walking distance of Old Falls Street.

In addition, The Sheraton Niagara Falls (300 Third St.) and The Giacomo Hotel (222 First St.) are offering special Oktoberfest pricing on overnight stays on Sept. 28. Guests should call the Sheraton at 716-285-3361 or The Giacomo at 716-299-0200 and mention “Oktoberfest” to receive the special rates.

“Throughout the years, Old Falls Street’s Oktoberfest was sponsored by the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association,” said Susan Swiatkowski, tourism development manager at Destination Niagara USA and DNFBA secretary. “This year, in addition to Old Falls Street’s outdoor festival, many of our association members are working to keep the celebration going within their own establishments. We hope this new approach attracts a wider audience and entices guests to stay longer, possibly overnight, while experiencing new and well-established hotels and restaurants in our district.”

Oktoberfest participants include:

Before Old Falls Street’s Festival

•Power City Eatery (444 Third St.) – Offering German beer, breakfast and lunch – from 7:30 to 3 p.m. Sept. 28-29

•Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (28 Old Falls St.) – Offering an Oktoberfest cooking class – from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28; reservations are required (http://nfculinary.org/public-classes.php)

•Old Falls Street USA – 10th annual Oktoberfest outdoor festival – from 1-8 p.m. Sept. 28; free and open to the public

During Old Falls Street’s Festival (1-8 p.m. Sept. 28)

•Reddy Bike Share – Will be on hand at the Old Falls Street festival with discounted annual passes

•Mackinali’s Café & Bake Shop – Will be there, selling German desserts at the Old Falls Street festival

After Old Falls Street’s Festival (beginning at 8 p.m.)

•Anchor Bar (located inside the Holiday Inn, 114 Buffalo Ave.) – Offering German wings and beer

•Courtyard by Marriott (900 Buffalo Ave.) – Offering German food specials and Oktoberfest beer flights

•The Craft Kitchen & Bar (223 Ferry Ave.) – Featuring German beers; Sunday football games on Sept. 29

•The Giacomo (222 First St.) – Featuring happy hour pricing all evening long

•Hyatt Place (310 Rainbow Blvd.) – Offering German sausages, dessert and beer

•TGI Fridays (located inside the Sheraton Niagara Falls, 300 Third St.) – Oktoberfest patio activities on Old Falls Street; German music, beer and food

•Wine on Third (501 Third St.) – Featuring German wine, beer and food specials

All Oktoberfest activities are open to the public. For more information, visit www.DNFBA.org or visit Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association on Facebook.