DAVENPORT, IOWA (October 19, 2023) — For its second year, German Fest returns to downtown Davenport 12–8PM, Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Kaiserslautern Square (K-Square), 119 E 3rd St. Co-produced by the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) and German American Heritage Center (GAHC), this year’s free event features more live music, new attractions, and awesome entertainment for the whole family.
Taking place at K-Square, named for Davenport’s sister city Kaiserslautern, Germany, the event pays tribute to the QC’s rich German culture with a variety of traditional Octoberfest activities, such as contests, food, beer, and live music.
The festival is guaranteed to get your feet moving with live performances from two German music groups. From 12–4PM, Die Musikmeisters Band, a Chicago-based German Polka group will take the stage, followed by the Dirndolls, a seven-piece Alpine folk band from Chicago, made up of people of marginalized genders, from 4–8PM.
Friendly competitions will ensue all day with Hammerschlagen competitions that pit challengers against each other as they try to drive nails into a wooden stump one hit at a time. Stein Holding contests will be held at 2PM and 6PM when participants hold up a full mug of beers for as long as they can with the champion winning a $25 gift certificate to Stompbox Brewing. Family-friendly fun includes inflatable axe-throwing and a bounce-house for kids. It’s a college football Saturday, so don’t worry, we’ll have the game on, too.
There will also be plenty of food and beverages including Fo Shizzle, My Schnitzel from Tiphanie’s as well as brats and burgers from Rob Smokin J’s. Beer and other beverages will be served by GAHC with proceeds benefitting their non-profit programming.
“We’re thrilled to expand our activities in year two of German Fest as we celebrate the Oktoberfest culture and feature a beautiful pocket park many people are still discovering in the heart of downtown,” said Kyle Carter, Executive Director for DDP. “Good times to be had by all!”
Full details are available at downtowndavenport.com.
About Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP):
DDP, an affiliate of Quad Cities Chamber, provides place management services for downtown Davenport’s business-improvement district (Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District, or SSMID). Its focus encompasses three pillars of work: business and economic growth, infrastructure and livability, and advocacy and promotion.
About German American Heritage Center:
The German American Heritage Center is a museum sharing stories of German immigration and their impact on American culture. Located in a restored, historic 1871 Gast Haus, the center is one of six immigrant hotels left in the nation. More information on programs and visiting can be found at gahc.org.
