With German music pumping and beer steins circulating a growing crowd, Oktoberfest in Renton kicked off Friday at the Renton Pavilion EventCenter.

The three-day event pays tribute to Barvaria's Oktoberfest in Germany and came to Renton courtesy of The Berliner Pub and the Renton Chamber of Commerce. Friday's festivities even brought out some local Germans.

"Well, it's high time we have it, right," said Milt Tiede, a native of Germany, but now a long-time Renton resident. "I hope they mean it when they say first annual."

Like many others, Tiede was sipping on German beer and relaxing with friends at one of the many beer hall-styled tables. The center was decked out in German beer regalia, with flags, posters and signs. Dennis and Lydia Mascarinas, The Berliner's owners, are expecting about 2,000 people during the course of the weekend with Saturday being their busiest night.

"I think it's wonderful; the hall looks amazing," Lydia Mascarinas said. "It looks like it's straight out of Barvaria."

A lot of the decor came from beer suppliers, but the rest staff at The Berliner made themselves.

"People are coming in, they're getting a beer and everyone's happy," she said of Friday's turnout.

Throughout the weekend there was to be a David Hasselhoff look-alike contest, German beers on tap, German bands, games, food, an outdoor Biergarten and a whole pig roast.

"I am super excited about the idea of having a festival that is unique to Renton and something different than just a party," said Jeff Lawrence, owner of Renton's Whistle Stop Ale House. "This is an Oktoberfest that we can have every year and look forward to every year. And I think that Dennis and Lydia are doing a fantastic job of bringing the community together and offering an event that can just let everybody come together all in one place."

Tickets are $15 advance and $20 day of the event. Advance tickets are available through BrownPaperTickets.com or at The Berliner Pub.  More information, visit RentonOktoberfest.com.

 

Contact Renton Reporter Staff writer Tracey Compton at tcompton@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5052.

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