Oktoberfest Races and Wiener Dog Parades Return to SteelStacks in October
Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., September 3, 2024 – ArtsQuest’s Oktoberfest, presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) is right around the corner, so start registering for some of the fun festivities now! You don’t want to miss out on the adorable Wiener Dog Races or the festive and fun Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k.
On your bark! Get set! Go! The annual running of the wiener dogs is back. Purebreds, Dachshund mixes and wiener dogs at heart under 35 lbs. are welcome. Registration is $15 per dog. Dogs will race in a double elimination bracket until a 3rd, 2nd and 1st place pup emerge victorious. Race check-in will begin at the Oktoberfest Arena 30 minutes before your scheduled race time. Multiple entries are allowed, but there is no guarantee that your dogs will not race against each other.
The festival will host a parade and race every Saturday and Sunday. Join in the festivities by registering your four-legged friend in the beloved Wiener Dog Races and enjoy a victory lap when you join the Wiener Dog Parade!
Wiener Dog Parades will begin at 12:15 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Pups donning their favorite costume or simply trotting as they are, could be elected President or Chancellor of the parade. There will be prizes and there will be adorableness. The parade is free to participate in, and no pre-registration is required. You can sign your dog up on the day of the parade beginning at 12 p.m. at the Oktoberfest Arena. All dogs are welcome.
The fun isn’t just for the dogs! Beer lovers get ready for the annual Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k on October 6! This race for beer is in partnership with Run Lehigh Valley and ends with a mug of delicious Yuengling Oktoberfest for every runner. The 10th annual Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k is set for Sunday, October 6 at the ArtsQuest campus at SteelStacks. Registration is $55 until September 30 and increases to $60 the week of the event.
All runners and walkers will receive an official race bib (a custom race bib is guaranteed for those who register before September 14). Registered participants are encouraged to pick up their race bibs at the Visitor Center at SteelStacks on Friday, October 4 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday, October 5 from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. or Sunday, October 6 from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. ($10 race day pickup fee applies).
Participants who register before September 20 are guaranteed an official race t-shirt, available in both unisex and slim sizes. A custom finisher medal is guaranteed to the first 1,000 registered runners. Upon completion of the race, every runner received a 22 oz. mug of Yuengling Oktoberfest beer or root beer on tap.
There will be an award ceremony for the top three finishers. Medals will also be awarded to the top runners in their age category and are available for pick-up at the results tent. Age groups are as follows: 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which over 50% are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.
