Prepare your dirndls, lederhosen and beer steins, the 5th Annual Oktoberfest @ Art Walk is just around the corner! Here is your guide to all of the artists, vendors, activities, specials and freebies at Oktoberfest:
The biggest Art Walk of the year, Oktoberfest @ Art Walk returns with fan-favorites, polka band Dan Witucki and Mein Heimatland Musikanten and German folk dance performances by Dansational. Enjoy a traditional tapping of the keg featuring Bold City Brewery’s German Chocolate Duke’s Cold Nose Brown Ale at 6 p.m. and Oktoberfest-themed contests throughout the night. All this and more hosted by TANK from X102.9 in Hemming Park.
Hemming Park • Check out local artists: ABDUL, Artzy Fartzy Petz, Automotive Fine Art, Aviation Art Store, BijuBee Jewelry, Copper Head, Cross Workshops, LLC, Imaginarium Gifts, James A. Lacey, Kai Indie Jewelry, LJ Designs, Lemoree, mochi + bella, Pandora’s Boxes, Phoenix Art, Teresa Cook Art, Thestraldust Designs, Stenotab Handmade, Steven Teller Arts and Viktor Lazarev; and vendors: The Hyppo, 904 Happy Hour, European Street Café, Mensa of Jacksonville, Operation New Hope, Bad To The Bone Pet Care, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, American Pharmacists Association at University of Florida, The Florida Theatre, Generation and Leaf Filter. Plus, enjoy art by live mural artist Cody Edwards.
Kinder Zone on Laura Street • Features interactive mural art by Jax Kids Mural Project, a magician from Crossroads Magic, a balloon artist Skip Bressler, My Gym and other fun activities.
Carnival Zone on Laura Street • Enjoy America’s Got Talent juggler David Ferman, Wiener dog derby races and life-sized games including: Connect Four, Jenga and corn hole.
German & Craft Beer Tents • Five Art Walk beer tents will be located in Hemming Park, along Laura Street and in Regions Bank Food Truck Village, and will serve up: Bold City Brewery – Dukes Brown Ale, Killer Whale, Mad Manatee, 1901 Red Ale, Intuition Ale Works – 1-10 IPA and Easy on the Eyes, Wicked Barley, Mackenzie’s Pumpkin Cider, Spaten Oktoberfest, Tücher Weiss, Full Sail Oktoberfest. Beginning Thursday, September 21, the public is welcome to pre-purchase a block of drink tickets, redeemable at the official Art Walk beer tents. Drink tickets are $5 and good for either beer or wine at Oktoberfest. Purchase four tickets and get a fifth ticket free. Visit iloveartwalk.com for more details and to purchase drink tickets.
ART & CULTURE HIGHLIGHTS:
Corner of Laura Street & Independent Drive • Join the American Planning Association and Downtown Vision for the reveal of the official “Great Street in America” marker celebrating Laura Street. A brief presentation will be lead by Downtown Vision CEO Jake Gordon at 6:30 p.m. Meet folks who were instrumental in the redesign and construction of Laura Street.
The Jacksonville Landing • Hang out at #FrontPorchJax at The Jacksonville Landing and enjoy live music by a traditional Oktoberfest band and One Step Above The Law Brass Band, cold beer and free souvenir beer steins, plus fun competitions and amazing local vendors and food for the entire family to enjoy.
The 5 & Dime, A Theatre Co. • Artists Crystal Floyd and Eric Gillyard are on display and Eva Dead and her zombie friends will be creeping around sharing information on EVIL DEAD: the musical opening Friday, Oct. 13.
The Florida Theatre • Indulge in a free, behind-the-scenes tour at 6:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. and an “up close and personal” look at the prized auditorium chandeliers during #ArtWalkJax!
MOCA Jacksonville • Browse current exhibits and enjoy free admission. From 5-8 p.m., get creative during Art Fusion with inspiration from current gallery exhibits. Be sure to grab a bite at NOLA MOCA, located inside.
Main Library • Visit the Jax Makerspace’s exhibit, “Survive to Thrive: Life Beyond Sexual Violence”, enjoy an exciting performance by the Argentinian Tango Dance Troupe from 7-8 p.m., and experience the amazing live drawing performance by Marisa Yow.
Southlight Gallery • Features guest speaker Kevin Arthur from 4-8 p.m.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS:
Chamblin’s Uptown & Café • Come chat with Adelaide Thorne for her second book signing from 5-8 p.m.
Coniferous Café • Experience the official launch of Nickname Zine, a zine project by Hurley Winkler and Aysha Miskin. Performances by LANNDS and Cheech Forreign. Plus view original art by Aysha Miskin, which will be featured throughout the month of October.
Regions Bank • Enjoy artwork and hear about how the organization I Still Matter uses the power of art to help provide mental health solutions. Visit Hope at Hand, Where is the Sunshine, OCD Jacksonville, All I Know, Inc., Healing Women Healing Nations Northeast Florida, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health America of Northeast Florida, National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mind Over Music Movement, Inc. to learn more about Mental Health Awareness week.
Visit Jacksonville • Photographer Mark Krancer will be available at Visit Jacksonville with the iconic shot of the Life Statue during Hurricane Irma, “Life in the River.” A large portion of proceeds will be donated to Memorial Park Association to help with repairs.
CULINARY HIGHLIGHTS:
Regions Bank Food Truck Village • Devour delectable food from Delish Kebabs, Twisted Okie, Son of a Butcher, Mother Truckin Pizza, Fusion and Zoe’s Italian Ice. Also, enjoy live music by Melodist Brynn and Darren Ronan beginning at 5 p.m.
The Court Urban Food Park • The Court will be transform an entire city block into a Blocktoberfest street party featuring food trucks, cold beer, games and even a climbing wall from 5-8 p.m. on Hogan Street and Sister Cities Street.
The Candy Apple Café & Cocktails • Enjoy an extended food-and-drink happy hour and a half-off kids menu until 7 p.m. Grab a glass of the special Art Walk Punch for $5.
Element Bistro & Bar • The ultimate Vegas experience is coming to perform for one night only in Jacksonville on Oct. 4, so plan to be part of the biggest ladies night ever at the 2017 Magic Mike Tour from 8-11:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the doors. Must be 21+ to attend.
Fionn MacCool’s Irish Restaurant and Pub • Wear a kilt and get a free beer! Kilt Night and Whiskey Wednesday features whiskey flights and a Prime Rib dinner special. Plus, enjoy live Irish music with Spade McQuade from 6-9 p.m.
River City Brewing Company • Take advantage of $20 all you can drink wine and appetizers from 5-8 p.m. Park at RCBC and ride the Skyway from the San Marco station to Hemming Park for free!
Zodiac Bar & Grill • Enjoy belly-dancing performances while you savor food and drink specials throughout the evening.
AFTER DARK HIGHLIGHTS:
1904 Music Hall • The Main Squeeze returns with Duval’s own Top Shelf People opening the show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the doors. All ages are welcome!
Dos Gatos • Sip on cocktails and listen to live music at Downtown’s original lounge (no cover).
Hourglass Pub • Wear your traditional Oktoberfest garb and drink the best beer made from the standards of the German Beer Law. Enjoy live music by Man Darino, Lurk City and friends, karaoke with DJ Howl, contests, prizes and German food.
Myth Nightclub • Myth Nightclub presents XXCess Wednesdays featuring free entry until midnight; free wine tasting and $2 drink specials. Experience the region’s best artists, dancers, performers and DJs.
The Volstead • Catch live music by The Rub from 9 p.m. until 12 a.m.
BY THE NUMBERS:
10+ Museums & Galleries
19+ Live Music & Performance Venues
21+ Hot Spots Open After 9 p.m.
58+ Total Stops
PARKING: Free street parking after 6 p.m. The Downtown Garage at Adams and Clay streets offers free, covered parking Art Walk night, courtesy of Elite Parking Services. (Enter on Clay Street.) Or park and ride the Skyway, running until 10:30 p.m. Art Walk night.
MORE INFORMATION: Full First Wednesday Art Walk information is available at iloveartwalk.com. Full Art Walk After Dark information is available at theelbowjax.com. Art Walk is produced by Downtown Vision, Inc. with sponsorships from: PRI Productions, Downtown Investment Authority, Intuition Ale Works, Bold City Brewery, Make Believe Costumes & Dancewear, 904 Happy Hour, The Hyppo, Regions Bank, Chamblin’s Uptown, X 102.9, Hot 99.5 and Easy 106.1. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, email hana@dtjax.org.
About Downtown Vision
Downtown Vision is a not-for-profit organization revitalizing Downtown through clean and safe initiatives, experience creation, marketing and information management. Created by commercial property owners through a self-assessment and governed by a board representing Downtown property owners, DVI administers a 90-block Business Improvement District. For more information, visit downtownjacksonville.com.