info Oktoberfest South Haven

Oktoberfest South Haven is held in downtown South Haven and celebrates Southwest Michigan's harvest season including the great outdoors, food, community, harvest season, and craft beverages!

How fantastic are you? Amazingly fantastic! Your so fantastic that you'll sacrifice your low carb lifestyle to help out others! Oh, and the fact it tastes delicious is just a little perk! Thank you for being so fantastic and supporting these awesome local charities!

Friday Night - Carbo load the day before with a delicious spaghetti dinner at Phoenix Street on Broadway between 3 PM and 7 PM when you pick up your race packet.  All proceeds go to We Care South Haven. $10 online or $15 at the door. We Care Community Resource Center is a nonprofit with a simple mission: to be THE resource center for anyone in our area, serving all our neighbors. Whether you're looking for opportunities to volunteer, donate or need assistance, We Care is here to help.

Saturday Morning  - Refuel in the morning 8-11 AM with a runners favorite - YDC's pancakes, eggs, sausage,  juice and coffee breakfast.  All proceeds go to YDC South Haven. $10 online or at the door. YDC is the largest independent youth organization in Van Buren County, MI and plays a vital role in the lives of children and young adults in Southwest Michigan. Their vision is that every child knows that they have a safe place they can count on to celebrate who they are, develop their dreams and be empowered to achieve success.

Just confirm your fantastic to buy a ticket!

Oktoberfest South Haven Run/Walk! Put your sandals into sport mode or lace up your shoes and prepare for a fantastic event that combines community spirit and the festive atmosphere of Oktoberfest! We premiered this route last year and it will once again run along a scenic course that includes North Beach, the Black River, and South Beach! Open to serious and not so serious runners, and power walkers. Each participant will receive a timing chip so they can see how they rank in their category. 

 NEW for 2024 we've added a finishers medal, ironically for everyone who finishes! So in addition to the timing chip, awesome high tech Oktoberfest t-shirt and an after race beverage of your choice from Harbor Light Brewery, everyone who crosses the finish line will receive a super sweet Finishers Medal and Ribbon! You'll be proud to hang this on your trophy wall because it's a beauty!  

Running and walking is thirsty fun.  Everyone who registers can slake that parched throat with a craft brewed root beer or beer at the finish. Still thirsty? Head over the many restaurants and taverns just around the corner! (Must be over 21 with valid ID to be served beer.)

Get a medal for resting! The Dykman Bridge over the Black River opens every 30 minutes! Those who get caught by the draw bridge will have the consolation of being awarded an "I got caught by the Bridge" medal and hanging out with our awesome volunteers in front of Captain Lou's! You can put this medal right next to your Finishers Medal!!

Of course, it wouldn't be Oktoberfest South Haven without brats and a stein! The fantastic four who reach the winners podium (Overall Male and Female, Top Masters Male and Female) will go home with a winners trophy, a gift certificate to load up on brats and other meats and a beautiful Oktoberfest South Haven beer stein from Pedalstroke Tours.

Registration Info

• Course Distance - 5.5 Km
• Registration Fee - Early Bird - $39 ends 9/13. Regular - $44 ends Friday 9/27. Oh I forgot same day registration - 9/28 online only from  Midnight to 8 AM.
• Start Time - 8 AM September 28, 2024
• Register Early!! Registered participants will receive our fabulous suspenders t-shirt until they run out.

Every awesome event needs awesome volunteers and we need you!

GET THE RECOGNITION, BE APPRECIATED, ALL FOR BEING A SPONSOR!

This is a family fun event so bring the whole family to enjoy the fun.  We love dogs and other pets, but unfortunately, we can't allow them to run in the race.  Baby strollers are welcome as long as they promise not to run down other participants!  Come out and join us on Saturday, September 28th for what may be the most beautiful and fun race you do this year!!!!!

Race will begin in the 500 block of Huron Street, behind Harbor Light Brewery, 516 Phoenix St, South Haven, MI 49090

Friday 9/27 - 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

Pre-Race Packet Pickup,  Phoenix Street on Broadway Restaurant, 259 Broadway St, South Haven, MI 49090

Saturday 9/28 - 6:30 am - 8:00 am 

Packet Pickup for 5.5K Race in the Huron Street Parking Lot and Pavilion area behind Harbor Light Brewery

Saturday 9/28 - 8:00 am

5.5K RACE START – 500 block of Huron Street, South Haven, MI

Saturday 9/28 – 8:00am – 11:00am 

Pancake Breakfast Benefit Fundraiser in the Huron Street Parking Lot behind Harbor Light Brewery.

Saturday 9/28 - 9:15 am 

Awards Presentation.