The story of Blocktoberfest begins in 2020, an eventful year for the fabric mask industry. Amid trying times, the inhabitants of Winding River Way often convened at a safe social distance to maintain a sense of community and whimsy. Eventually these distanced gatherings evolved into fun and frivolity in relatively closer proximity, but still outdoors, because we aren't a bunch of selfish wieners.

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Sensing that society was gradually returning to some sense of normalcy, neighbors gathered on The Freck (the Frick's deck) one fine spring evening; that night, a plan began to come together for a good old-fashioned block party, the kinds we had seen in movies set before any of us were born.

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Ben, noted local beer maker, shared that he had always wanted to have a block party in the style of Oktoberfest, a German holiday whose roots and traditions are completely unknowable. Inspired by Ben's offer to make a slate of beers (and probably, also, by having consumed a few of Ben's previously brewed beers), ideas began to flow like beer.

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Erin, famed local t-shirt printer, suggested we print shirts to commemorate the occasion. The idea was universally praised and accepted because, frankly, there was a good chance we would have so much fun that we would never be allowed to do anything like this, ever again. Plus, shirts are cool.

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Matt, husband of Erin, suggested a lot of grilled meats, perhaps sausages, and everyone agreed, because day drinking and day grilling go together like beer and your mouth.

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Katie, wife of Ben, legendary local baker, had an idea for German-style Bee sting cake (and other confections!) to make sure we didn't just have a bunch of beer and protein, and there was no objection, for cake is always a good idea.

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Chris was also there, and though he had almost no useable ideas, on more than a few occasions, he said something really inappropriate, causing Ben to laugh and causing Brooke, the wife of Chris, to make the now-famous "Brooke Looke." 

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What began with a bit of whimsy slowly and steadily rounded out into a fully-fledged plan. By the first Saturday of October, 2021, much planning, debate, math, and beer-testing, had resulted in a day that exceeded everyone's expectations. The legends and lore of that first Blocktoberfest are too good to share on the Internet (read: technically, no laws were broken), but if you are fortunate enough to attend any future Blocktoberfests, you are all-but-guaranteed to hear them told and retold, perhaps whilst sitting about a garbage can full of fire.

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We hope you'll join us! Blocktoberfest is, for many, the best day of the year.

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Prost!