info Oktoberfest South Haven

Oktoberfest South Haven is held in downtown South Haven and celebrates the wonders of Michigan's harvest season including the great outdoors,  food, people, fall colors,  harvest season, craft beverages and pigs flying! Don't worry, the pigs we are talking about are brats, bacon, frankfuters and bean bags.  Some fly in the air and some fly into your tummy! 

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 Bangor, Covert and South Haven school districts. Their vision is that every child know that they have a safe place they can count on to celebrate who they are, develop their dreams and be empowered to achieve success.

So come join us in supporting this great organization by stopping by the YDC Brat Booth!

Of course, it wouldn't be Oktoberfest South Haven without brats! We're fortunate to  have an award winning brat maker right here in our backyard - Bob's Processing. Bob's has won over 100 state blue ribbons, 10 National Championships, and 2 Gold Medals at the International IFFA show put on by the German Butcher Association. Bob's is also the source of every delicious slice of bacon. sausage link and brat provided to the podium winners at Oktoberfest South Haven and sold at the YDC Brat Booth!

You won't want to miss the famous beer and bacon pairing! This Harbor Light Brewery creation is a unique pairing of their special seasonal brews and different flavors of bacon that bring out the best of both.  So step inside and try a pairing!

When you think Oktoberfest South Haven one of the first things that comes to mind is suspenders!!? UMMMM no...... you think craft beverages. Michigan with all its agricultural diversity is a national hub of craft brewing and winemaking. These creative mad scientists utilize locally grown honey, hops, blueberries, grapes, apples, cherries, peaches, lavender, raspberries and strawberries to create some tasty thirst-quenching beverages. At Oktoberfest South Haven you'll run, walk or ride past a few of these craft beverage makers:

• Virtue Cider, Douglas Root Beer Barrel,
• Harbor Light Brewery, Waypost Brewing Company, Saugatuck Brewing
• Cogdale Vineyards, Modale's Wines, Michigan Wine Company, Fenn Valley Vineyards, Wyncroft Estate, 
• New Holland Brewing Spirits, 

Nearby you'll find Three Blonds Brewing,   South Haven Brewpub, 12 Corners Vineyards, Tantrick Brewing,  and Warner Vineyards!

Oink out at the Brats & Bacon 5K! Open to serious and not so serious runners, power walkers, and casual walkers.  Each participant will receive a timing chip so they can see how they rank in their category.  This is the first course to route along South Beach and North Beach!

At the awards ceremonies, those who reach the podium will go home with a gift of assorted Bob's world famous brats, franks and bacon! Unfortunately the rest of us will have to be satisfied with buying a brat from the YDC Brat Booth. The good news is that they are all from Bob's too!

All registered participants who cross the finish line will receive a finishers medal awarded at the finish line, and a refreshment at Harbor Light Brewery. Runners will depart at 8 AM.  

Every year hundreds of gravel bike racers from across the country to compete at The Dirty Donut Race. It's open to serious and not so serious racers who combine speed and donut eating strategy to produce the best possible time. In a very short time, it's become one of the best gravel races in Michigan. Dan Frazier, the founder and organizer has been heard to say that with the right strategy, you could end up with a negative time and win the Back To The Future Award!

Dan has designed Dirty Donuts & Cider as a casual gravel route for Oktoberfest South Haven, and like his  Dirty Donut Race, it was built for fun. So if you're gravel-curious, come on out and grunt along the Dirty Donuts & Cider route. As a bonus, the route passes several craft beverage makers.  Who knows, you might enjoy it so much that you find yourself at the next Dirty Donut Race!

All registered participants who cross the finish line will receive a finishers medal awarded at the finish line, and a refreshment at Harbor Light Brewery. The route includes SAG support, rest stops, cue sheets, and GPS routes for registered riders. SAG support will be available from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The Flying Pig Ride is a casual ride for those who aren't gravel curious and prefer squealing down the trails and country roads between South Haven and Saugatuck. Put that pandemic bike to use and enjoy an easy paced scenic tour. All bikes are welcomed including tandems, e-bikes, recumbents and trikes. Terry Barnes, owner of Pedalstroke Tours and former tour director for the League of Michigan Bicyclists and Michigan Trails, Greenways Alliance, has designed a route that will pass almost every winery and brewery in the list above! Why is the ride ALMOST for everyone? Well, you need a bike that can finish the route by 3 PM.

All registered participants who cross the finish line will receive a finishers medal awarded at the finish line, and a refreshment at the Harbor Light Brewery. The route includes SAG support, rest stops, cue sheets, and GPS routes for registered riders. SAG support will be available from 9 AM to 3 PM.