10th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration
A Fundraiser to Benefit Renfrew Museum and Park!
Celebrate history and the harvest with us!
Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Tours, Games, Demonstrations, Live Music, & Biergarten… All Day!
Silent Auction 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Happy Hour from 3:00PM – 4:00PM
General Event Admission
$15 per person (ages 18+)
$10 children (ages 3-17)
FREE for kids ages 2 & under
PLEASE PURCHASE WALK-IN ADMISSION AT THE GATE
WALK-IN ATTENDEES: Day-of admission may by purchased at the gate during event hours from 12:00PM until 5:00PM. Look for the white Welcome Tent next to the Milk House on the Royer Farmstead. Cash or credit/debit cards only. No checks.
PRE-REGISTERED GUESTS & SPONSORS. Pre-registration highly encouraged! Pre-registered guests who purchased admission prior to the event, please check in at the Welcome Tent upon arrival to pick up your wristbands and be prepared to show a copy of your receipt.
BIERGARTEN: $5 Craft Beer Pours from 12:00PM – 4:00PM / $3 Happy Hour Pours from 4:00PM – 5:00PM (Age 21 + only. Photo I.D. required.) Please drink responsibly and bring a designate a driver.
FOOD & BEVERAGES: Renfrew Mobile Museum Shop will offer cold bottled water, Gatorade, and other soft drinks for $2.00. Small bagged chips, candy bars, and other snacks will also be available as part of our ongoing fundraising efforts. (COMING SOON) will be on site with a select offering of German and American fare.
MERCHANDISE & VENDORS: Select items from the Museum Shop including seasonal décor, branded items, walking sticks, and more will be available in the Renfrew Pop-Up Shop. Local craft and food vendors will also be available for the Oktoberfest Fall Market!
WEATHER: Oktoberfest is an outdoor event and will be held rain or shine, unless in the case of severe weather. Please be prepared for all conditions by dressing appropriately for the season.
PARKING: Parking is located in the Lower Lot off of Welty Road or in Upper Lot off of Buchanan Trail/Main Street. Restrooms are located at the Visitors Center.
Ein Prosit!
Come enjoy a fun-filled day at Renfrew’s 10th Annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser! This seasonal favorite is held at our beautiful historic farmstead to take full advantage of the scenic autumnal views in a unique period setting. As always, this traditional signature event will have a distinctive Renfrew feel as we honor the German roots of the Royer family that worked this land. It’s fun for everyone with a one-of-a-kind family-friendly celebration of history and the harvest! Your admission includes entry into the festival featuring live traditional music, full tours of the 1812 Royer House, historic trade demonstrations, silent auction, family fun area, farmstead activities, access to vendors, and so much more! Relax in our fenced, tented Biergarten and sample local craft beer offerings. With so much to do, you’re bound to have a great time!
Event Map - Click to Enlarge!
2025 Map COMING SOON!
Can’t attend Oktoberfest, but would like to help Renfrew reach its fundraising goals?
CRAFT VENDORS WANTED!
Traditional Music from the Blaskapelle Shippensburg German Band
Live Performances All Day!
Located in south-central Pennsylvania, Blaskapelle die Shippensburg was organized in 1985 so that they could entertain as a typical German brass band. They’re all volunteers, dedicated to bringing you good music, good fun, and Gemütlichkeit.
The band has been doing festivals since 1985, playing in concert halls, in beer tents with thousands in attendance, as well as small private parties. They were featured entertainment for the 200th Oktoberfest anniversary at the German Embassy in Washington, DC with great reviews.
The band plays mainly in the styles of Egerland, Bohemia, Bavaria, and Tirol, with an authentic sound of the best known German and Austrian Blasmusikbands. These are the bands that play regularly at various Oktoberfests — and the Shippensburg German Band plays the same loved tunes: rolling beer-drinking songs, traditional melodies, and lively polkas and waltzes. This is the type of music that gets you to clap your hands, sing along, and dance to the traditional folk tunes usually presented at German festivals — Music that lifts the soul and defines Gemütlichkeit!
Pretend you’re back in 1810, in a Bierstube or small pub, in a village surrounded by the Tyrolean Alps. Listen to your favorite beer hall tunes, dance to the Alpine folksongs, relax, clap, sing along, and most of all, enjoy!
Biergarten
Craft beer selection locally sourced from:
$5 Pours 12:00PM – 4:00PM
$3 Happy Hour Special Pours 4:00PM – 5:00PM
Beer Flavor: COMING SOON!
Purchase on site by cash or credit card. Age 21 + only. Photo I.D. Required. Please drink responsibly and designate a driver. Children are permitted in the Biergarten, but must be accompanied by a responsible (age 21+) adult at all times.
Oktoberfest German Themed Meal
Enjoy a filling meal of delicious German fare expertly prepared by (COMING SOON)! Beverages and other food options are also available.
Full Museum House Tours
Enjoy guided tours of Renfrew’s Museum House during Oktoberfest! Explore both the first and second floors of the 1812 stone Royer House, beautifully furnished with 18th and 9th century decorative arts from our museum collections. Discover the story of the Royers, Nicodemuses, and others who once called this place home. Be sure to check out our many Pennsylvania German artifacts on display including baskets, kitchen utensils, pottery, folk art and more! Tours last about 35-40 minutes.
Museum House tours are included with general admission. Photographs are permitted. Show wristband at Welcome Tent for re-entry into Oktoberfest event. Please note that the Museum House is not handicapped accessible.
Historic Demonstrations
Special Welcome to Oakgrove Farm - Museum of Libations!
18th Century Interpreters who specialize in the history of period libations!
Cultivate Inspiration with seasonal historic foodways, craft, and trade demonstrations by Renfrew’s knowledgeable interpreters! Learn about autumnal activities from the past and how early farm families like the Royers and Fahnestocks worked, played, and celebrated at harvest time in the nineteenth century.
Living history demonstrations are included with general admission with several opportunities for hands-on experiences, asking questions, and making family memories throughout the day!
Family Fun Area
Make. Play. Do! Hands-on activities in the Family Fun Area!
Included with General Event Admission. Activities available while supplies last.
Foam Ax Throwing
Playdough Pretzels
Watercolor Frakturs
Milk the cows!
Paper Alpine Hats
Paper Quilt Blocks
Farmstead Chores & Period Games
Silent Auction
Bid from 12:00PM to 4:00PM. Winners will be announced at 4:15PM.
Join us for the Oktoberfest Silent Auction and bid for a great cause on a fantastic array of auction listings including gift certificates, merchandise, services, cultural experiences, workshops, gourmet food and wine, home décor, handmade goods, and more! Bidding will take place in-person on the day of the event. Must be present to bid. Need not be present to win. Winning bidders must pay for and pick up their items during or within one week of the event. Failure to close out by 4:00PM on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, will forfeit your bid and option will pass to the back-up bidder. Payment by cash or credit card (no personal checks). All proceeds to benefit Renfrew!
Preview a selection of the many fabulous donated items being offered in this year’s auction at the Renfrew Visitor Center starting on Wednesday, September 3rd, through Friday, September 26th. Be sure to attend Oktoberfest between 12:00PM and 4:00PM for your chance to bid – and win!
Seeking Event Support! Consider a Sponsorship or Donation for a Great Cause!
Renfrew is currently seeking Oktoberfest sponsors to help us present a great fundraiser event! Looking for a way to promote your business and support a great cause? Click on the sponsorship text above for more information on the benefits available to sponsors or to make a fully-deductible gift of support to Oktoberfest.
Thank you to our generous sponsors! Without you, annual traditions like Oktoberfest would not be possible!
Click on the character icons below to secure your Sponsorship online!
