Dust off your lederhosen, dirndls and chicken-dancing shoes! Asheville Oktoberfest returns Saturday, October 11 to downtown's South Slope from 1-6pm, with tickets going on sale Friday, August 1 at noon at ashevilledowntown.org. Back for the 6th year is internationally renowned “oompah” band, The Stratton Mountain Boys. Their happy yodeling songs, shoe-slapping dances and lively spirited Polka music are sure to incite dancing in the street and rousing cheers of “Prost!” Asheville's favorite Bavarian-inspired street party features samples from 11 local AVL breweries including: Asheville Brewing Company, Catawba Valley Brewing Company, French Broad Brewery, Green Man Brewery, Highland Brewing Company, Hi-Wire Brewing, Lexington Avenue Brewery (LAB), Oskar Blues Brewery, Pisgah Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, and Twin Leaf Brewery. In the spirit of the saison (oops, season), brewers are asked to feature an Oktoberfest or seasonal brew. More breweries may be added. AVL OKT also features traditional German lagers from Spaten-Franziskaner and Chateau Ste. Michelle will be sampling several wines from their line. We'll also feature hard cider from Western North Carolina's first commercial cidery, Noble Cider, made with all local apples. The popular Oktoberfest Games are back as well pitting brewery against brewery with favorites like the stein race, pretzel toss, stein hoist and keg-rolling contest. Oktoberfest sponsors include: The Brite Agency, Asheville Brewing Company, Budweiser of Asheville, Catawba Valley Brewing Company, Chateau Ste. Michelle, French Broad Brewery, Green Man Brewery, Highland Brewing Company, Hi-Wire Brewing, Lexington Avenue Brewery (LAB), Noble Cider, Oskar Blues Brewery, Pisgah Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Twin Leaf Brewery, Renaissance Asheville Hotel, Rock 104.9, 105.9 The Mountain, 880 The Revolution, 98.1 The River, Asheville Scene, WNC magazine, Go Mini’s and Asheville Color & Imaging. Images courtesy of Asheville Ale Trail.