A little piece of Germany fires up each fall in the small city of Walhalla in the upstate of South Carolina. The sleepy bedroom community is the Oconee County seat and is the home of a popular park featuring the state’s only railroad tunnel (although never finished) and a waterfall surrounded by ancient folklore. In 2017, we named Walhalla as the one South Carolina town to visit during fall – and with good reason. Not only is it in the middle of prime leaf peeping territory when fall foliage is at its peak, it’s also home to the most authentic Oktoberfest celebration around.
And just what makes Walhalla's Oktoberfest so authentic? The city was founded in the late 1800s - by Germans. There's a lot of heritage in this little town and each year on the third weekend in Oktober, folks come out to celebrate.
The 2019 festival marks the 41st year for Walhalla's Oktoberfest, where you can eat, dance, and drink like you're in Germany — but without hopping on an airplane.
There's no better atmosphere to enjoy some bratwurst and sauerkraut than at a festival. Skip a meal so there'll be room in your stomach to sample a little of everything here.
And don't pass over the apple strudels. The fest will undoubtedly have other (other meaning "American") fare for those who care to keep their menu more domestic at the event, but a fresh, warm apple strudel is a must for everyone.
Come prepared to take home some local arts and crafts. There's no better way to remember a fun day than by bringing home something to forever remind you where it came from.
If you've never been to Walhalla, carve out some time to visit Tunnel Park and Issaqueena Falls (see link at the beginning of this article) while you're in this neck of the woods.
The Walhalla Oktoberfest celebration takes place October 18-20, 2019 at the Sertoma Field in Walhalla. Main Street also comes alive with activities. The hours are Friday from 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 a.m., Sunday from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. General admission tickets are $5/11 and older, $3/kids age 3-10, free for kids under 3. Learn more about the schedule of events and the festival from the official website.
Address: 272 Tulip Drive, Walhalla, SC, 29691
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