Sugar Mountain Resort's 33rd annual Oktoberfest

October 7 & 8, 2023

10am – 5pm

Yodel Lay He Ho!

We’ve got lots of reasons for you to grab your beer stein, put on your Lederhosen or your dirndl and head to Sugar Mountain Resort Saturday & Sunday, October 7 & 8, 2023. The Harbour Towne Fest Band will provide a festive Bavarian atmosphere to Sugar’s annual Oktoberfest celebration. Admission, parking and shuttle service are free. Rain, shine or snow the festival will go on!

For additional information please call 828-898-4521.

Take in the beautiful fall foliage, cool, comfortable mountain temperatures, and a weekend full of festival activities from 10 am until 5 pm each day. Be sure to bring the kids because the event is for the whole family.

Schedule

Saturday, October 7, 2023: 10AM-5PM

 

10AM              Oktoberfest Opens to Public

10AM-5PM      Summit Express Chairlift Rides

10AM-5PM      Arts & Crafts on C-Lot

10AM-5PM      Sports Shop Open – Lower Level Base                                    Lodge

11AM                 Oktoberfest Opening Ceremony

Noon-4PM       Harbour Towne Fest Band

11AM-5PM       Kids Fun Center  – Play Yard

4PM                 Bavarian Costume Contest – Dance Floor

5PM                 Oktoberfest Closes for the Day

Sunday, October 8, 2023: 10AM-5PM

 

10AM              Oktoberfest Opens to Public

10AM-5PM     Summit Express Chairlift Rides

10AM-5PM     Arts & Crafts on C -Lot

10AM-5PM     Sports Shop Open – Lower Level Base                                    Lodge

Noon-4PM      Harbour Towne Fest Band

11AM-5PM      Kids Fun Center – Play Yard

5PM                 Oktoberfest Closes for the Day

Pet Policy

Pets are welcome to attend Oktoberfest. However, they are not allowed on the deck or inside the lodge.
They must be on a leash at all times.

Entertainment

Live Music

An Oktoberfest isn’t complete without the live sounds of an Oom Pah Band.

From noon until 4:00pm each day the Harbour Towne Fest Band guarantees to bring the sounds, dances and enthusiasm of Bavaria to Sugar Mountain.

Arts & Crafts

Local artisans and craftsmen will show their wares on the ski area grounds Saturday & Sunday.

A wide variety of items from food to ironworks will be available for purchase to the public. Vendors interested in obtaining a booth should contact the Sugar Mountain administration office at (828) 898-4521. The two-day fee for a 12′ by 12′ display area is $150. The festivities will run from 10:00am ’til 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday.

2023 Vendor Lineup

  • Ann Wilson Books and Christian Products – Christian books, jewelry, embroidered blankets, jackets, bibs, and t-shirts
  • Appalachian Shed – Colorful wooden and glass folk art
  • Avery Knifeworks – Locally hand-forged knives for the kitchen, hunting, everyday carry, and camping
  • Brenda’s Intarsia Creations & More – Intarsia style woodworking pictures, animals, crosses, and more
  • Browns Creek Herbs – Locally made herbal products including tinctures, teas, and salves
  • Cali.nco – Hand painted tote bags, wall décor, stickers, greeting cards, and art prints
  • Craftyann7- Purses, wallets, steampunk jewelry, and mad hatter hats
  • D & M Ceramics – Ceramics and decor mesh wreaths
  • Evelyn’s – Crocheted headbands, hats, scarves, cup & beer koozies, Christmas ornaments, and woodworking items
  • French at Heart – Handmade freshwater pearl and gemstone jewelry
  • GR Woodworking – Woodworking crafts such as toys, trucks, cornhole boards, flags, crosses, and more
  • Jeri’s Jewels – Sterling silver beaded jewelry and guitar pick jewelry
  • Jewelry by Julie – Modpodge earrings, necklaces, ornaments, keyholder bracelets, and bird feeders
  • Johnson Family Farm on Honeycutt Creek – Canned goods, craft hot sauce, and baked goods
  • Just-A-Dash – Sewn aprons, table runners, eyeglasses covers, checkbook and cardholders, scrunchies, and many more handmade goods
  • KB Custom Cowgirl Designs – Custom designed hats and bags
  • Keith Martindale Pottery – Eye catching handmade glazed pottery 
  • Leisa’s Kettle Corn, LLC – Assorted flavors of kettle corn, pork skins, boiled, roasted, & salted peanuts, glazed nuts, and homemade fudge
  • Moretz Mudslingers – Handcrafted pottery, sculpture, and wearables
  • Mountain Poured Creations – Fluid art paintings on various mediums such as canvas, wood, glass, etc. Fluid art jewelry, bookmarks, wine glass charms, keychains, and more
  • MR Metal Works – Metal art of all sorts, yard art, and handmade windspinners
  • Mutton Creek Forge – Custom metal and woodwork
  • Natural Creations Handmade Earrings – Handmade wood and acrylic earrings
  • Nomadic Graphics – Locally made sublimated t-shirts, laser cut décor, and Christmas ornaments
  • NoodleCakes – Hand-beaded jewelry and stained glass art
  • Peaceful Path Pottery – Handmade, wheel thrown, stoneware pottery with personality
  • Peep & Patsy’s Appalachian Emporium – Handmade quilts, table runners, mug rugs, coasters, home décor & accessories from local artisans
  • Pumpkin Center Pottery – 3D artwork and everyday use hand-thrown pottery
  • Redfox Creations – Scenic photography on gallery canvas
  • Sours Mountain Homestead Farm – Handcrafted goats milk products such as lotions, soaps, salts, etc. Farm-friendly earrings, and homemade goats milk candles and wax melts
  • Third Eye Coffee – Fresh coffee, lattes, espresso, cold brew, cappuccino, hot chocolate, baked goods, and lemonade
  • To His Glory Alpaca Farm – Alpaca hats, scarves, yarn, and more
  • Wood Art by John Patrick – Woodturning décor including salad bowls, platters, lidded boxes, bottlestoppers, and rolling pins
  • Wood Therapy NC – Reclaimed wood trays, charcuterie boards, signs, lanterns, crosses, flags, wine racks, wine carriers, etc.
  • Funtime Concessions – Snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy.
  • Greta’s Trinkets – Jewelry and crafts.
  • River’s Crest Studio -Acrylic and watercolor artwork, hand painted greeting cards.
  • Country Bumpkin Candle Company – Candles, soap, wax melts, bath bombs, foaming sugar scrubs and body butter.
  • Baskets & More – Hand woven baskets, woven items & fabric arts.
  • The Edit Clothing Company – Locally made and on trend t-shirts,sweatshirts, hats, tumblers, accessories & more!
  • Ron’s Woodshop – Handmade wood items, bowls, cutting boards, charcuterie boards, coasters, ornaments and wood plaques.
  • Shady Grove Venture – Wood furniture & home decor items, pet treats!
  • Lealon McLeod Artwork – Pen, Ink and watercolor artwork.
  • Cotton & Kudzu – Screen print your own shirt, tote bag, or tea towel, preprinted textiles are also available.
  • The Artwork of Brent A. Newton – Fine arts visual arts painted by Brent A. Newton
  • Unique Designs by the Wooden Toad- Hand carved wood items and laser engraved items.
  • MM Artistic Production- Hand turned wood items, handmade furniture, paintings!
  • Menya’s- Soaps and Sculptures
  • The Bead Lady- Hand Crafted Jewelry!

Bavarian Food & Drinks

Food and Drinks

Bavarian cuisine including Bratwurst and Knockwurst, made by Geier’s Sausage Kitchen, Sauerkraut, Strudel, and soft pretzels will be available starting at 11am both Saturday & Sunday. To help wash it down an ample supply of Spaten beer will generously flow each day from 10am until 5pm.

If Bavarian cuisine isn’t your preference; hamburgers, soda, kettle corn and other festive foods will be on hand.

Bavarian Costume Contest

 

 

Saturday at 4pm guests who show up on the dance floor in full Bavarian flare or in another Oktoberfest related costume can participate in the Oktoberfest Costume Contest. The winner will be determined by crowd response. Stick around for prizes.

Cost is free to participate.

Categories include Male 12 and under, Female 12 and under, Male 13 and older, Female 13 and older.

Chairlift Rides

Enjoy the area’s fall foliage while riding the Summit Express Chairlift to the top of Sugar Mountain. The chairlift operates from 10:00am until 5:00pm on October 7 & 8, 2023.

For more information please visit our Chairlift Rides page.

Kids Fun Center

Kids fun center operates from 11am until 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Some of the activities include Fun Time inflatables, hay rides, corn hole, water balloon toss, and pumpkin bowling.

Kids Fun Center admission (includes hayride): $20

Hayride only: $5

Sports & Gift Shop – Super Sale

Sugar Mountain Sports & Gift Shop

Shop for the upcoming fall and winter seasons at Sugar Mountain Resort’s Sports Shop located on the first level of the main lodge.

New 2024 winter merchandise arriving daily.

Commemorative Oktoberfest t-shirts and souvenir items can also be bought under the tent on the main celebration deck.

Lodging Specials

Receive 15% off lodging rates from the following companies during Sugar’s Oktoberfest:

Resort Real Estate & Rentals at Sugar Mountain
3390 Tynecastle Hwy
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-898-9746 or 800-438-4555 (toll free)

Sugar Ski & Country Club
100 Sugar Ski Drive
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-898-9784 or 800-634-1320 (toll free)

www.seesugar.com

The History of Oktoberfest

Held annually in the fall, Oktoberfest is a world famous German folk festival. It is considered one of the world’s most fun-filled celebrations.

 

For sixteen days, millions of visitors from all over the world enjoy parades, amusements, shows and, of course, lots of authentic German food like sausages, potato salad and apple strudel.

Oktoberfest is best known for the free-flowing, hearty German beer. The celebration officially begins each year when the Lord Mayor of the city taps the first keg – tapping of the first keg symbolizes the celebration of the season’s first brew.

The first Oktoberfest was held nearly 200 years ago in celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese. Since then, Oktoberfest has grown in size and stature and is know world-wide for its friendly & festive atmosphere.

Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese - Early Oktoberfest
Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese - Early Oktoberfest