Beer Lovers Flock to Acadia Oktoberfest

Maine-brewed beer and locally prepared foods mixed with blues and country music Saturday at the seventeenth annual Acadia Oktoberfest.

The event at Smuggler’s Den Campground in Southwest Harbor attracted more than 2,500 revelers, according the Kristin Hutchins, president of the Southwest Harbor-Tremont Chamber of Commerce. The chamber sponsors the event.

“Everybody had a really good time,” Ms. Hutchins said.

Many people plan their vacation trip to Mount Desert Island around Oktoberfest, Ms. Hutchins said. Others drive in for the day.

Of course, the event is popular with many island residents. Matt McEachern of Bar Harbor parks his camper at Smuggler’s Den and spends the weekend with family and friends. They’ve been doing so for nine or 10 years.

Jessica Barlow of Portland was among those attending for the first time.

“The beer is great; the food is great and the guy I’m with is great,” she reported.

Oktoberfest is held under three large tents. One is reserved for serving beer, another for crafts and the third for food and music. Foods ranged from barbecued ribs to lobster rolls and Asian fusion. Two bands – Mark Kanter’s Bluesboy Review and the Mainely Country Band – shared the stage for the celebration.

Ms. Hutchins said the chamber is already busy planning for next year’s Oktoberfest and looking for ways to make the brewfest even more of a success.

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