Gallery: Orangetoberfest 2023

Erik Filep of Patch Brewery had several varieties on tap at Orangetoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 30. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Visitors lined Short Street on Saturday, Sept. 30, in search of the perfect brew. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

The Jerome family poses in front of a “We Love Orange” sign during Orangetoberfest 2023. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Chef Zachary Andrews of Spoon and Spindle was one of several vendors to put on their lederhosen in the spirit of Orangetoberfest on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Brynn Welch, pictured with Alex Welch, was also decked out in traditional garb. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Beyond brews, Orangetoberfest featured live music and shopping from local vendors. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Adam James of Bald Top Brewery talks with Richard Rognlie and his cute companion, Braun. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Bryan and Eileen Hargett catch up with Janelle Roberts. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Across the street at The Arts Center In Orange, ceramicist Shari Jacobs helped visitors create custom beer steins. (Photo Credit: Andra Landi)

Despite a last-minute date change due to last weekend’s storms, visitors turned up in droves for the second annual Orangetoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Up and down Short Street, attendees wet their whistles with selections from 18 Virginia breweries and cideries, while munching on snacks from local food trucks and restaurants, and listening to live music. According to Orange Downtown Alliance (ODA) President Cameron Hamilton, the event serves to highlight the vibrant, growing brewing industry in Orange County and throughout Virginia while borrowing from the European Octoberfest tradition.

“We’ve got some great local breweries, great cideries, great food trucks, vendors,” Hamilton said. “We want to promote that kind of traditional Octoberfest feel that you find in a lot of Europe.” 

He added that the festival is also a huge draw for locals and tourists alike, furthering the ODA’s mission to highlight all that town of Orange has to offer. 

“The role of the Orange Downtown Alliance is to help promote economic vitality and growth here in the town of Orange, and also to help beautify and improve some of the town appearance,” Hamilton explained. “Events like this are really crucial because it drives people to come down here, have some beer, but also go check out our local shops. We've got the Arts Center, we've got Mosby with antiques, we've got restaurants, we've got a lot of businesses, and when we have foot traffic in this downtown area, they all benefit. So, we think it's a great community event.”

For Brynn and Alex Welch, that driving force has been strong enough to bring them to Orangetoberfest from Fluvanna County both years. On Saturday afternoon, Aubrey and Alex were sipping on a new selection from Far Göhn Brewery while looking forward to old favorites like the ciders from 6 Bears & A Goat.

“We love the variety,” Brynn shared. “It's a chance to sample things so I can have a little bit of beer from here, a little beer from there, and really decide what I want to do with the rest of my year.”

To view photos from Orangetoberfest 2023, check out the slideshow above. To learn more about the Orange Downtown Alliance, visit www.orangedowntownalliance.com.