Oktoberfest Celebration This Weekend
Presented by Funky Buddha Brewery
Begins Today at 6 p.m. at Jaco Pastorius Park

The 15 th Annual Oakland Park Oktoberfest , presented by Funky Buddha Brewery, will be held this weekend (October 4-6) at Jaco Pastorius Park, 4000 N. Dixie Highway.

In addition to German food, cold beer and music, attendees will enjoy exciting field games and activities, such as stein races, beer barrel races, and apple strudel eating contests, and other fun scheduled throughout the weekend.

The entertainment features German music performed by the Alpine Express band and Sepp Diepolder, a master yodeler, zither and accordion player. Authentic dance performances by the Edelweiss and Auerhahn Schuhplattlers are also on the schedule .

Attendees can quench their thirst with Funky Buddha’s diverse tap roster, including Oktoberfest favorites Floridian Hefeweizen (an authentic German-style wheat ale), Hop Gun IPA , Vibin' Lager (a crisp lager that goes great with good times), Buddhafest Marzen (an amber German-style festbier), and Bonita Applebum (an apple pie brown ale made with cinnamon, vanilla, and apples). 

Oktoberfest attendees can expect a delicious menu with festival favorites like grilled bratwurst, sauerbraten, chicken schnitzel, potato pancakes and more.

The Oktoberfest Market will showcase talented artists, crafters & culinary artisans. This family-friendly event also offers the Oktoberfest Kids’ Corner with face painting, flower crowns, cookie decorating and other art and craft activities, free of charge. In addition, tickets for a traditional carnival with rides and games will be available.

The Central Bark Dachshund Dash returns, where thousands of South Floridians come to watch and cheer on dozens of adorable stubby-legged dogs racing to the open arms of their owners. The Dachshund Dash is Saturday at 4 p.m.. Back by popular demand, the Oakland Park Oktoberfest Doggie Fashion Show, presented by Central Bark, is Sunday at 4 p.m.

The festivities continue "Sunday-Funday" with enjoy specialty brunch bites and cocktails.

Daily admission to Oktoberfest is $5, with ages 12 and under admitted free with adults. Premium parking will be available in the immediate vicinity of the park and free parking nearby with complementary shuttle services. A ride-share location will be one block south of main gate at the corner of NE 12 th Avenue and NE 37 th Street.

Call Parks and Leisure Services at 954-630-4500 to learn more.  We look forward to seeing everyone enjoying the weekend festivities in Oakland Park .
'Oakland Park: Building for Our 2nd Century'
City Commences its Comprehensive Facilities Program
With Demolition Ceremony

“ Oakland Park: Building for Our 2 nd Century ” officially commenced with yesterday's demolition of the City’s former wastewater treatment plant at 5100 NE 12 th Terrace.

The demolition of the former wastewater treatment plant is the first part of building the City’s new Public Works complex at that location. This new complex will be home to Oakland Park’s Public Works Department and the City’s new Emergency Operations Center.

The City plans to relocate the Public Works Divisions currently operating next to the central park/Collins area to the new location. This will open up that property, in the heart of our City, to be re-imagined and master planned into 20 acres of parks, leisure, athletic, recreation, and cultural amenities that serve all ages of the City’s diverse population.

Oakland Park is engaged in a citywide effort to improve and modernize city facilities. After a review and assessment of the condition of facilities in 2017-2018, the City Commission approved a ballot referendum for a general obligation bond. The $40 million general obligation bond was approved by nearly 70 percent of the voters in November 2018.

Bond proceeds are not part of the Public Works project, which will be funded through the City's utility fund. The City is aggressively seeking grant funding for all projects and has already been successful in obtaining grant funding for Fire Station 87 hardening, North Andrews Gardens Community Center exterior improvements, Wimberly Field energy efficient lighting improvements, and a splash pad at the central park/Collins area.

The City has held multiple community meetings this year to provide updates and solicit input from the public and will continue to provide these opportunities for transparency and dialogue as we move forward. The next community meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 30 th at Collins Community Center. 

The City projects the 10-year program, “ Oakland Park: Building for Our 2 nd Century ,” will be completed in time to coincide with Oakland Park’s Centennial Celebration in 2029.
Transformation of West Dixie Lots into Oakland Park Square
Underway at NE 38th Street/Park Lane East & N. Dixie Highway

At the same time Oakland Park was beginning with the demolition efforts at 5100 NE 12 th Terrace, crews were also hard at work prepping the west Dixie lots for "Oakland Park Square" in the City's downtown.

While not part of our City Facilities Bond, work is currently underway to transform the west Dixie lots at the intersection of N. Dixie Highway and NE 38 th Street/Park Lane East (see aerial view above) into Oakland Park Square . City officials anticipate the Oakland Park Square Project will become our City hub and a true downtown destination (see architectural rendering).

This eagerly anticipated project is a mixed-used development featuring nearly 35,000 square feet of commercial space, 87 residential apartments, 11 live-work units, on-site parking for 343 vehicles and 29,000 square feet of new City Hall offices and additional public space.
 
City officials believe the future wave of mixed-use developments is essential to creating a sustainable, walkable, multi-modal Downtown district with the perfect balance of integrated residential, commercial and entertainment uses.
Plastic Straw Ordinance Update

The City Commission passed an Ordinance on first reading prohibiting the sale or distribution of plastic straws by a 4-1 vote at this past Wednesday's Commission meeting. View the agenda item and backup to learn more .

The final reading of the Plastic Straw Ordinance will include a Public Hearing scheduled for the October 16, 2019, City Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Halloween Bash with 'Trunk or Treat'
Featuring Costume Contests & Live Concert
Friday, October 25 at Jaco Pastorius Park
 
Join all the ghosts and goblins for a not-so-scary evening of fun and family entertainment at Oakland Park’s annual “ Halloween Bash ” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, October 25 at Jaco Pastorius Park, 4000 N. Dixie Highway.

This free Halloween Bash event includes costume contests, a live concert by the award-winning classic rock & blues performer Joel DaSilva, face painting, food trucks and an interactive stage show with music, dancing and games. The Halloween costume contest has categories for children of all ages.

A popular feature of Halloween Bash is “Trunk or Treat” showcasing some of the most creative and spookiest decorated cars and trucks around. Families, businesses and neighborhood associations can display their Halloween-theme decorated vehicles and offer packaged treats/healthy snacks to the children – from the trunk of a car or the tailgate of a truck. Prizes will be awarded to the best decorated vehicles.

To register a decorated vehicle or other Halloween Bash information, please call the City’s Parks and Leisure Services office at 954-630-4500.

The Fall-Winter issue of Oakland Park LIVE magazine has been printed and mailed to residents. View this new issue here .