Growing up in Bulgaria and Germany, Brentwood’s Christina Weber remembers attending something similar to local October festival events as a child. When she was very young and still lived in the heart of Oktoberfest country, she recalls an annual celebration of “all that was German.”

“Of course, there were a lot of games and carnival-type events,” she said. “But what makes the Bulgarian festival different is the food and fun trinket toys we got to pick out when we attended.”

The Downtown Brentwood Coalition will host its annual Oktoberfest at City Park on Oct. 8. After spending the past two years off due to the pandemic, the Oktoberfest event is back. Weber attended Brentwood’s event for the first time in 2019 and said she was impressed with what the organization had put together.

“As an adult, the whole idea of an October festival is very different from when I was a child,” she said. “Now it is about the different kinds of beer and the food.”

This will be the 15th year that the coalition has brought Oktoberfest to downtown Brentwood. The event is also supported by the City of Brentwood Economic Development Grant program, which organizers say is a great help, especially considering the expected number of local and out-of-town visitors.

“The goal of an event like Oktoberfest is to welcome the entire community to celebrate together, highlight local offerings, and introduce them to historic Downtown Brentwood simultaneously,” said organizer Amy Tilley.

This year the festival committee is expanding the event to include not only the original area of City Park but also parts of Second and Oak streets. Oct. 8’s event starts at 2 p.m. and concludes at 7 p.m.

“The focus for the 2022 Oktoberfest is Downtown Brentwood’s new mantra, ‘We Love Local,’ ” Tilley said. “Highlighting local food, local drinks, local programs and efforts are at the heart of this year’s celebration.”

Events throughout the afternoon will begin with a performance from Alpine Sound, a premier Bay Area German band. At 4 p.m., the annual Weiner Dog Costume Parade will begin. Signups for the parade will be at 3:30 p.m. behind the main stage.

The Beer Stein Obstacle Race will be back again, giving a chance for locals to see if they can clear the path without spilling a drop. Signups will begin at 4 p.m. Wrapping up the event is the local band Double Down on the Main Stage at 5 p.m.

The Oktoberfest committee has hand-picked a showcase of two high-profile seasonal special release beers — Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest and the Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest. Local favorite Four Legs Brewing will also be on-site to share new offerings.

While beer and a wine garden are part of the main features of this show, all ages are welcome. This year, several new free activities and offerings are planned inside the festival’s Family Zone. Complimentary activities include fall photo opportunities in partnership with Soiree Love and local Harvest Time member farms. Complimentary train rides, glitter tattoos and balloon animals will also be provided. Tilley says not to forget to bring your appetite to this Bavarian-inspired festival.

“Lockeford Sausage joins the event once again, and their famed sausages attract their loyal followers from all corners of the Bay Area,” she said. “German pretzels and  German-inspired fare will be provided by festival favorites Pure Grain Bakery, Sara’s Pretzels and Foodie Call.”

The event will feature more than 12 food vendors, and the local downtown restaurants and businesses will be open. There will also be dozens of local vendors and makers setting up their wares at the Oktoberfest, with a sprinkling of the Downtown Brentwood Coalition’s nonprofit partner booths.

While the event is free to attend, special VIP packages include fast line passes, commemorative steins, event backpacks and more. VIP packages can be purchased on the Downtown Brentwood Coalition’s website or Facebook event page for Oktoberfest. For more information about Oktoberfest, visit the coalition’s webpage at brentwooddowntown.com/okt.

Roni Gehlke can be reached at oakleynow@comcast.net.