9th Annual Oktoberfest
“A Family-Friendly Celebration of History and the Harvest!” Fundraiser to Benefit Renfrew Museum & Park
Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Tours, Activities, Live Music & Biergarten All Day
Silent Auction 12:00-2:30pm
Happy Hour from 3:00-4:00pm
Renfrew Museum and Park
1010 E. Main Street, Waynesboro, PA 17268
General Event Admission
$15 per person (ages 18+)
$10 children (ages 3-17)
Free for kids ages 2 & under.
PLEASE PURCHASE ADMISSION AT THE GATE.
WALK-IN ATTENDEES: Day-of admission may by purchased at the gate during event hours from 12:00pm until 4:00pm. Look for the white Welcome Tent next to the Milk House on the Royer Farmstead. Cash or credit/debit cards only. No checks.
PRE-REGISTERED GUESTS & SPONSORS. Pre-registered guests who purchased admission prior to the event, please check in at the Welcome Tent upon arrival to pick up your wristbands and be prepared to show a copy of your receipt.
Ein Prosit!
Come enjoy a fun-filled day at Renfrew’s 9th Annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser! This seasonal favorite is held at our beautiful historic farmstead to take full advantage of the scenic autumnal views in a unique period setting. As always, this traditional signature event will have a distinctive Renfrew feel as we honor the German roots of the Royer family that worked this land. It’s fun for everyone with a one-of-a-kind family-friendly celebration of history and the harvest! Your admission includes entry into the festival featuring live traditional music, full tours of the 1812 Royer House, historic trade demonstrations, silent auction, family fun area, farmstead activities, and so much more! Relax in our fenced, tented Biergarten and sample local craft beer offerings. With so much to do, you’re bound to have a great time! Show your support for Renfrew’s German heritage as we celebrate Oktoberfest together.
Oktoberfest is an outdoor event and will be held rain or shine, unless in the case of severe weather. Please be prepared for all conditions by dressing appropriately for the season. Those who have pre-purchased admission may check in at Welcome Tent upon entry (see map below). Cancellations by guests are not eligible for refund. General admission tickets will be available for purchase at the gate. Pre-registration highly encouraged! Those attending Biergarten must be prepared to present valid drivers license or state ID at time of purchase. Please drink responsibly and designate a driver. Parking is located in the Lower Lot off of Welty Road or in Upper Lot off of Buchanan Trail/Main Street. Restrooms are located at the Visitors Center. Questions regarding Renfrew’s 8th Annual Oktoberfest may be emailed to info@renfrewmuseum.org or call us at (717) 762-4723.
Event Map - Click to Enlarge!
Available for Purchase at the Event
Not included with General Admission, Sold Separately
Biergarten: $5 Craft Beer Pours from 12:00-3:00pm / $3 Happy Hour Pours from 3:00-4:00pm (Age 21 + only. Photo I.D. Required. Please drink responsibly and designate a driver.)
Meal Options: A Matter of Taste of Chambersburg will be on site with a select offering of German and American fare. See Event Schedule for more information.
Food & Beverages: Renfrew Mobile Museum Shop will offer bottled Water ($1 each), Gatorade ($2 each), and Gosling’s Ginger Beer ($1.50 each). For food and snack options, please visit our Oktoberfest vendors A Matter of Taste and Sweet Thyme Bread & Treats.
Merchandise: $1 Renfrew Oktoberfest commemorative mugs (while supplies last!); Select items from the Museum Shop including seasonal décor, Renfrew honey, branded hats, mugs, and more!
Can’t attend Oktoberfest, but would like to help Renfrew reach its fundraising goals for this year? Consider a tax-deductible donation.
Traditional Music
Blaskapelle Shippensburg German Band
Live Performances from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Located in south-central Pennsylvania, Blaskapelle die Shippensburg was organized in 1985 so that they could entertain as a typical German brass band. They’re all volunteers, dedicated to bringing you good music, good fun, and Gemütlichkeit.
The band has been doing festivals since 1985, playing in concert halls, in beer tents with thousands in attendance, as well as small private parties. They were featured entertainment for the 200th Oktoberfest anniversary at the German Embassy in Washington, DC with great reviews.
The band plays mainly in the styles of Egerland, Bohemia, Bavaria, and Tirol, with an authentic sound of the best known German and Austrian Blasmusikbands. These are the bands that play regularly at various Oktoberfests — and the Shippensburg German Band plays the same loved tunes: rolling beer-drinking songs, traditional melodies, and lively polkas and waltzes
This is the type of music that gets you to clap your hands, sing along, and dance to the traditional folk tunes usually presented at German festivals — Music that lifts the soul and defines Gemütlichkeit!
Pretend you’re back in 1810, in a Bierstube or small pub, in a village surrounded by the Tyrolean Alps. Listen to your favorite beer hall tunes, dance to the Alpine folksongs, relax, clap your hands and sing along, but most of all, enjoy!
Biergarten
Open 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Craft beer selection locally sourced from:
Beer Flavor: “Lederhosen Mentality” Oktoberfest
$5 Craft Beer Pours 12:00-3:00pm
Happy Hour Specials 3:00-4:00pm!
$3 Craft Beer Pours
Purchase on site by cash or credit card. Age 21 + only. Photo I.D. Required. Please drink responsibly and designate a driver. Children are permitted in the Biergarten, but must be accompanied by a responsible (age 21+) adult at all times.
Oktoberfest German Themed Meal
Available for Purchase at Vendor
Served from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
GUTEN APPETIT!
Enjoy a filling meal of delicious German fare expertly prepared by A Matter of Taste Cakes & Catering of Chambersburg, PA. Beverages and other food options available a la carte. A Matter of Taste accepts payment by CASH ONLY.
Oktoberfest Dinner Meal: $15 per person
Choice of German Bratwurst OR Hot Sausage
Sauerkraut
Warm German Potato Salad
Fried Cabbage & Noodles
A la Carte Selections
Bratwurst $6
Hot Sausage $6
Hot Soft Pretzel with Choice of Mustard or Beer Cheese $5
Apple Strudel $3
Choice Soda or Water $2
Artisan Breads & Baked Goods
Available for Purchase
Served from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
BAKED WITH LOVE
Indulge in a taste of homemade with decadent goodies from Sweet Thyme Bread and Treats of Fairfield, PA. Artisan breads and pastries baked fresh with simple ingredients including sourdough loaves (4 different flavors), baguettes, seasonal fruit pies, cinnamon rolls, and homemade sandwich breads. Sweet Thyme accepts payment by CASH OR CREDIT CARD.
Full Museum House Tours
Open 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Enjoy guided tours of Renfrew’s Museum House during Oktoberfest! Explore both the first and second floors of the 1812 stone Royer House, beautifully furnished with eighteenth and nineteenth century decorative arts from our museum collections. Start with a pretzel-making demonstration on the kitchen hearth, then discover the story of the Royers, Nicodemuses, and others who once called this place home. Be sure to check out our many Pennsylvania German artifacts on display including baskets, kitchen utensils, pottery, folk art and more! Tour last about 35-40 minutes.
Museum House tours are included with general admission. Photographs are permitted. No video, please. To protect our precious artifacts we request no flash, please. Enter via the rear kitchen door to the right of the Milk House. Your exit will be through the hall door onto the front lawn. Show wristband at Welcome Tent for re-entry into Oktoberfest event. Please note that the Museum House is not handicapped accessible.
Historic Demonstrations
Open 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Cultivate Inspiration with seasonal historic foodways, craft and trade demonstrations by Renfrew’s knowledgeable interpreters! Learn about autumnal activities from the past and how early farm families like the Royers and Fahnestocks worked, played, and celebrated at harvesttime in the nineteenth century.
Living history demonstrations are included with general admission with several opportunities for interesting conversation and hands-on participation throughout the day!
Family Fun Area
Open 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Make. Play. Do! Keep busy with a great selection of hands-on activities in Renfrew’s Oktoberfest Family Fun Area.
Included with General Event Admission. Activities available while supplies last. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Foam Ax Throwing
Playdough Pretzels
Watercolor Frakturs
Milk the cows!
Paper Alpine Hats
Paper Quilt Blocks
Farmstead Chores & Period Games
Silent Auction
Bid from 12:00pm to 2:30pm. Winners announced at 3:15pm.
Pick-up from 3:15 to 4:00pm on 9/14 or before 4:00pm on 9/21.
Must be present to bid. Need not be present to win.
Join us for the Oktoberfest Silent Auction and bid for a great cause on a fantastic array of auction listings including gift certificates, merchandise, services, cultural experiences, workshops, gourmet food and wine, home décor, handmade goods, and more! Bidding will take place in-person on the day of the event. Must be present to bid. Need not be present to win. Winning bidders must pay for and pick up their items during or within one week of the event. Failure to close out by 4:00pm on Saturday, September 21, 2024 will forfeit your bid and option will pass to the back-up bidder. Payment by cash or credit card only (no personal checks). All proceeds to benefit Renfrew.
Preview a selection of the many fabulous donated items being offered in this year’s auction. There’s much, much more in store for you at the auction table, so be sure to attend Oktoberfest between 12:00pm and 2:30pm for your chance to bid – and win!
Seeking Event Support!
