Sep 17, 2014 2 min read

CANONSBURG – You won’t have to travel to Munich this year to get the tastes, sights and sounds of Bavaria. For the 16th year in a row, schnitzel vendors and accordionists dressed in lederhosen will line the streets of Canonsburg for the Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest Friday through Sunday.

“My favorite thing is to see all the people having so much fun on the streets of Canonsburg, because it takes on a completely different atmosphere,” said event organizer Anita Brecosky. “It becomes a quaint little bit of Bavaria right here in the center of town.”

The three-day festival on East Pike Street, sponsored by the Greater Canonsburg Chamber of Commerce, kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday and features headlining musical performances by Ruff Creek and the Kenny Blake Trio at 7:15 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively.

Other local bands playing throughout the weekend include SNPJ Button Box, Frank Palombi band, Matt Barranti and Bill Ali, Shannon and the Merger, Sputzy and Tequila Mocking Bird, Carolyn and Cody, House of Soul, Sugarcane and LocaL, as well as traditional German performances.

And it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without lots of German food – bratwurst, knockwurst, smoked sausage and sauerkraut balls – and bubbly beverages. Those feeling especially Germanic can order a “bier,” but don’t forget to say “danke.”

“Everybody is German for Oktoberfest – that’s my line,” Brecosky said.

Brecosky said it’s not just Canonsburg residents who attend the event, and they’ve even had a few attendees from Germany. Organizers are anticipating more than 60,000 visitors over the three days of the festival.

A free shuttle will be available at the Pennsylvania Transformer Technology lot on Curry Road. For more information, visit www.canonchamber.com and click on “Oktoberfest” or visit the “Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest in Canonsburg” Facebook page.