A new three-day Delaware Oktoberfest will debut this weekend

When it comes to multi-day Oktoberfest celebrations in Delaware, the 40-year run by the Delaware Saengerbund in Ogletown is the undisputed champion.

But this year, the city that became home to the state's earliest German beer-makers — Wilmington — will be hoisting its own steins as the Riverfront's Constitution Yards Beer Garden debuts its own three-day fest this weekend.

While the Delaware Saengerbund event, running Sept. 21-23 this year, is steeped in tradition, Constitution Yards will be doing things a bit differently.

They will incorporate mechanical bull rides, lawn games and shotskis — a long board with shot glasses attached, allowing for groups of people to down shots simultaneously when it's tilted. (Not exactly a Bavarian tradition.)

In fact, it is a rare weekend where the beer garden will be serving shots at all. Usually, they sling mixed drinks, but won't pour shots no matter how nicely you ask.

"We're doing a little more of a modern, Delaware version of Oktoberfest," says Jackie Kemp, director of events for Constitution Yards Beer Garden. "We'll have bratwurst and stuff like that, but also with local bands and Dogfish Head beer cheese."

Tickets cost $18 each day to get a commemorative one-liter glass stein filled with German beer, and the right to pay for discounted refills. Tickets can be purchased in advance at constitutionyards.com or at the door. If you're not a beer-drinker, don't want a stein or are underage, no ticket is needed. There is no entrance fee.

Among the beers up for grabs: Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest, Victory Festbier, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, Yuengling Oktoberfest, Paulaner Hefeweizen, Spaten Lager, Spaten Optimator, Sam Adams Oktoberfest, Harpoon Flannel Friday and UFO Pumpkin.

The kitchen will be offering its cheddarwurst sandwich — a cheddar-stuffed bratwurst from Wilmington-based Maiale Deli and Salumeria topped with fried onions, sauerkraut, applesauce and dijon mustard. Also on the menu: a pretzel braid with German-style mustard or beer cheese.

The three days break down like this, barring any rainy impact from Hurricane Florence:

Friday runs from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a Sierra Nevada-sponsored stein hoisting competition at 7 (sign-ups begin at 6) with live music from Magnolia-based Bad Avenue playing classic rock and blues from 5 to 8 p.m.

The gates open Saturday at noon running until 1 a.m. with the mechanical bull available for rides from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., costing $5 a pop. Bear-based cover band Backlash plays from 4 to 8 p.m.

There aren't any bands or special events slated for Sunday, but the lawn games that will be there all weekend will be available, including cornhole, badminton, bocce, Jenga Giant and over-sized Connect Four.

When it comes to what you'll be putting in your belly, there will be Oktoberfest-inspired foods and beers for sale.

After letting Oktoberfest come and go without too much fanfare in its first two autumns, why is Constitution Yards jumping into the fall beer festival game now? They point to their customers.

"Honestly, a lot of our guests told us this would be a perfect spot for an Oktoberfest and we were like, 'Huh. That would work out really well,'" says Kemp, who has attended Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, a few times. "We thought it would be really fun to do before it kicks off everywhere else — a little mini Oktoberfest just for Wilmington."

Constitution Yards' foray into Oktoberfest comes a week ahead of Delaware Saengerbund's 40th anniversary event, which will once again come with all the traditional trappings.

There will be a large-scale traditional beer tent outfitted with an array of beers such as Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr and Spaten. Also, foods that would make your German grandmother's stomach growl, including bratwurst, weisswurst, landjäger, rollmops and, of course, the festival's famous German potato salad.

"We have a formula and we stick with it," says Hans Nafzinger, Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest chairman.

There are a few minor tweaks this year, such as an expanded outdoor beer garden, the introduction of a few new craft beers and re-organized food lines to allow for better access.

Unlimited amusement park rides come with each entry ticket, which is $9 at the door, giving little ones plenty to do while the grown-ups sample adult beverages.

And, yes, you read that right. The price has bumped up from the $8 it has been for years.

"Like everybody, we have increased expenses so that will cover it," Nafzinger says.

Hours this year are 5 to 11 p.m. on opening day, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

A special Oktoberfest Brewmaster Dinner will be held in the tent on Thursday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. — the night before Oktoberfest's official kick-off.

If you want to explore the beer-inspired German menu and featured beers, tickets are $40 with limited seating. Reservations can be made by e- mailing oktoberfest@delawaresaengerbund.org or tickets can be purchased at delawaresaengerbund.org.

Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Oktoberfest

WHEN: Friday (4 p.m.-1 a.m.), Saturday (noon-1 a.m.) and Sunday (noon-9 p.m.)

WHERE: Constitution Yards Beer Garden, 308 Justison St., Wilmington

COST: $18 for a commemorative beer stein filled with beer and discounted refills. There is no entrance fee.

INFORMATION: constitutionyards.com

AREA OKTOBERFESTS

Friday through Sunday: Constitution Yards Beer Garden Oktoberfest, 308 Justison St., Wilmington. constitutionyards.com.

Friday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Sept. 23: Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest, 49 Salem Church Rd., Ogletown. delawaresaengerbund.org.

Saturday, Sept. 22: OktDoverFest, Loockerman Plaza, Dover. A celebration of Dover’s businesses, military community and craft brewers from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. with craft brewers, food trucks, food by restaurants and pubs, artisans, sidewalk sales and giveaways. Loockerman Street will be closed between State Street and Governors Avenue with music by Dover's Mike Hines and the Look, Smyrna's Party Fowl and Toney Rocks. Tickets for unlimited beer pours are $37. facebook.com/OktDoverFest.

Saturday, Sept. 22: Oktoberfest Live!, Xfinity Live!, 100 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia. The seventh annual event features more than 250 different beers and an array of live bands from 3 to 9 p.m. There are seven indoor and outdoor areas for beer drinking. General admission is $45 with beer samples included or $60 for VIP tickets with an extra hour of tastings. xfinitylive.com.

Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29: St. John the Apostle Catholic Church Oktoberfest, 506 Seabury Ave, Milford. Friday's activities start at 6 p.m. with the Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk followed by a performance by beach-based band The Funsters. On Saturday, the party starts up again at 11:30 a.m. with arts and crafts booths, helicopter and fire truck rides, along with a dessert booth with over 100 items. Saturday’s entertainment line-up includes Enzian dancers, the McAleer School of Irish Dance and Joe Kroboth from noon to 4 p.m. with Dover's Glass Onion Band closing out the night from 6 to 10 p.m. On both days, the Oktoberfest international food court will serve traditional German entrees, along with Italian, Spanish and Polish dishes. Also on the menu: hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, Polish ice, homemade baked desserts and more. And, yes, there is a beer booth for adults. Yard games, cornhole, Jenga Giant and ladder ball for 16 and older with kids games, face-painting and a petting zoo for the smaller ones. It is the church's largest fundraiser of the year. stjohnsmilford.wordpress.com.