6 Oktoberfest celebrations in Milwaukee to check out from now until, well, October

It's a chicken-and-egg question: Does Milwaukee's German heritage drive its love of Oktoberfest celebrations, or does our love of a party make us want to tap that heritage? 

It doesn't matter. We're deep into Oktoberfest in these parts. Here are six autumnal celebrations that will make you yell "prosit" from now through October. 

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Oktoberfest at the Bavarian Bierhaus

Heidelberg Park, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale; gates open at 5 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. Saturdays 

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The Bavarian Bierhaus celebrates Oktoberfest every weekend through Oct. 5. Live bands perform at 7 p.m. Fridays and 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays. They'll serve traditional German foods like spanferkel and Oktoberfest brats, and serve brews from the Bavarian Bierhaus, Spaten and Weihenstephan. General-admission tickets are $10.

Details: thebavarianbierhaus.com.

Sept. 14

Barktoberfest

Estabrook Beer Garden, 4610 Estabrook Parkway; 1 to 6 p.m. 

This is the eighth year for Barktoberfest at Estabrook Park, a modern man's best friend twist on the traditional Oktoberfest. Dogs are invited to try the lure course (hosted by Friends of MADACC) or the Agility Course (hosted by Agility Possibilities). Leashed pets can hang out while their family quaffs German beer and gets in the spirit of Munich’s Hofbräuhaus. The event is free.

Details: friendsofmadacc.org/barktoberfest. 

Sept. 20-22

Milwaukee Brewing Oktoberfest

1128 N. Ninth St.; starts at 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday

Look for the big beer tent and outdoor beer garden with German-style beers including Oktoberfest, Hefeweizen, Dunkel Lager and Milwaukee Lager, as well as food and live German music. The event is free to attend, but drink packages and reserved tables also are available.

Details: mkebrewing.com/oktoberfest. 

Sept. 21

Riverwest Oktoberfest

Black Husky Brewing, 909 E. Locust St.; noon to 8 p.m.

Traditional Oktoberfest challenges such as Hammerschlagen, Masskrugstemmen (stein holding) and a yodeling demonstration and contest are part of the day's events. Live bands take the stage from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. There's a firkin tapping planned for 2 p.m. The event is free to attend.

Details: the event page on Facebook.

Oct. 5-6

Annual Oktoberfest in Historic Downtown Cedarburg 

Downtown Cedarburg; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

The two-day celebration includes authentic German music and a dance floor under a huge tent. Foods include sauerbraten, wiener schnitzel and a German sausage platter. It includes contests (with prizes) for Best Lederhosen/Dirndl Judging Contest and Sauerkraut Eating Contest on Saturday and a German Spelling Bee on Sunday. There's also a German marketplace and art tours planned.

Details: cedarburgfestival.org/oktoberfest.

Oct. 5-6

Milwaukee Oktoberfest

Fiserv Forum Plaza, 1111 N. Phillips Ave.; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 

The three-day celebration opens with a ceremonial keg tapping at 5 p.m. Friday, followed by free beer while it lasts. It's a German festival, so expect a stein-hoisting competition, brat-eating contest and live polka music, but also a wiener dog contest, live art, a Miss Oktoberfest contest and a corn hole tournament. The event is free to attend. The party is in two locations: Pere Marquette Park and the Beer Garden at Fiserv Forum Plaza.

Details: milwaukeeoktoberfest.com

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Contact Kathy at (414) 224-2974 or kathy.flanigan@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @katflanigan.