CINCINNATI — Members of the Cincinnati Fire Department better get ready to shake their tail feathers as they prepare to be grand marshals for the World's Largest Chicken Dance at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati this year.
Organizers anticipate around 700,000 people will attend the four-day festival.
The country's largest Oktoberfest returns to Cincinnati Sept. 14-17, with firefighters leading the chicken dance on the main stage at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.
"The Cincinnati Fire Department is integral to what makes events like Oktoberfest Zinzinnati happen," Oktoberfest Zinzinnati said in a release. "Behind the scenes, these hometown heroes ensure the safety of every attendee at events like Oktoberfest every year."
One of the grand marshals is Capt. Eric Tombragel, who is working his last event after more than 30 years with CFD and seven years as the fire captain for special events.
In addition to the chicken dance, this year's Oktoberfest will include fan-favorite events like the Running of the Wieners and Stein Hoist Challenge as well as a Bengals pep rally and viewing party on Game Dey Sunday.
There will also be some new aspects to Oktoberfest Zinzinnnati, including a family-fun zone sponsored by Synder's of Hanover and Jagermeister will be serving the festival's official shot.
There will also be some new German fusion food options.
“We have Asian restaurants, but they’re doing fusion dishes that are German-inspired, so that’s going to be kind of interesting and unique to try," said Oktoberfest Marketing Manager Brad Mason.
Mason noted the festival will have over 100 different beer options and over 40 different styles of German beer.
The festival has also moved its location back to 5th Street, where it was held for years before moving to 2nd and 3rd streets. Because of that, several streets will be closed through Monday, Sept. 18 at 5 a.m. Those include:
- 5th Street between Walnut and Columbia Parkway
- Columbia Parkway between downtown and 6th Street ramp
- Sycamore Street between 6th and 4th Street
- Broadway between 4th and 6th Street
- Sentinel Street
- Lawrence Street
- Main Street between 4th and 6th Street during event hours
Broadway will be temporarily converted to a 2-way traffic pattern between 7th and 6th Street. Detours will be in place directing drivers on northbound I-71 and I-471.
There's multiple parking lots in walking distance to Oktoberfest that attendees can park at:
West and North of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
- Fountain Square — 520 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Fountain Square South — 416 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
- 3CDC Public Parking — 400-434 Race St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
- SP+ Parking — 410 Race St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Ampco System Parking — 418 Main St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
- LAZ Parking Garage — 150 E 3rd St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
- SP+ Parking — 100 E 3rd St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Eggleston and North of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
Self-pay Parking:
- Park Place Lot #31 — Park Place Parking, 500 Eggleston Ave #45202, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- 7th & Culvert Street Lots — ABM Parking
- Park Place Parking — 7th Street, 237 East 7th Street
- 902 Eggleston Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Attendant-monitored Parking:
- 301 Eggleston Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (surface lot only)
- 486 Culvert St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 (Lot 5-E)
Parking at any of these lots will be $10-20 based on proximity to the footprint.
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