Greenfield will celebrate its first Oktoberfest on the town common Saturday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Greenfield Community Meetinghouse.
The festive event features grilled bratwurst and other specialty German dishes and desserts, beer from Post & Beam Brewing, complimentary stainless steel beer steins, and live music from the Folk Soul Duo. Organizer Jesseca Timmons said that fellow board member Sheldon Pennoyer conceptualized the event, inspired by his sons’ love for microbrews.
Timmons said that primarily, the event’s purpose is to engage Greenfield residents with the town’s meetinghouse improvement project. She said the building’s recent assessment revealed the need for a significant amount of work, “and it’s going to take the whole town helping out to raise the funds it needs.”
“People in Greenfield really love the meetinghouse. There are a lot of families who have been here hundreds of years and have had countless family events there, and they’re emotionally invested in protecting and preserving it.” She said she keeps hearing that people want to see the building restored as the focal point and gathering place for the town. “We’re hoping Oktoberfest and the creation of the Friends of the Meetinghouse will be the first step toward that. We’ve had a huge amount of volunteer help and involvement from all over town so far!”
She said the Friends coordinated well with the Harvest Fair committee, the Historical Society, and Select Board. The town’s annual Harvest Fair is scheduled for earlier in the day.
Admission is $10 per person, $25 per family with underage children.