ALL ABOUT OXTOBERFEST 2026

Our annual parish festival and fundraiser is THIS SATURDAY!

Check out the day's full Schedule of Events

Help us make this an unforgettable celebration of our parish and community with your presence and participation!

OUR HELPIING HANDS

A huge thank-you to everyone who has signed up to share their time and talents for Oxtoberfest! We can’t wait to celebrate with you this Friday and Saturday.

We still have room for a few dozen more helpers—especially during the later hours from 2 pm through clean-up. Even one hour makes a difference! If you can lend a hand, please take a look at the remaining opportunities here.

BAKERS: For all who have committed to this year’s Bake Sale, donations may be dropped off at St. Luke’s on Friday until 8 pm or Saturday beginning at 8 am. Thank you for adding your sweet touch to our parish celebration!

BID, BELIEVE, AND BELONG

Join in the Parish Silent Auction—a celebration of community and generosity. Browse a variety of baskets, experiences, and one-of-a-kind treasures donated by our parish family and local businesses. This year we have 140 opportunities for you to be a basket winner!

The auction is run through Handbid, an easy-to-use mobile app that lets you browse, bid, and track items right from your phone. The Auction is currently available for preview, with more items being added each day. Bidding opens Thursday at 8:00 am, and closes at exactly 3:15 pm on Saturday, during Oxtoberfest events.

Follow this link to join the fun anytime, or scan the QR codes around St. Luke's to join during Oxtoberfest!

Need help getting started? Check out our step-by-step Handbid instructions.

Every bid helps support parish ministries and outreach!

If you join in for no other reason, make it

The Beard Appeal and cast your vote on the fate of Fr. Ken’s beard!

Will he keep growing it until Christmas, or will he be clean-shaven next week?

At $5 per vote, with no limit on the number of votes, you can help decide! Will the beard stay or go? The choice is yours!

PAY-TO-PLAY EVENTS

THE STAMPEDES ARE COMING

Our annual Oxtoberfest 5K Walk/Run fundraiser will have participants charging through the streets of Ankeny to show off their St Luke’s pride! Corralling of the Runners (registration) opens at 10:30 am, with the Stampede kicking off at 11:00 am.

The Mini-Stampede, race-style activities for kids ages 5+, also begins at 11:00 am. Corralling will be near the back of the south parking lot.

TEST YOUR STRENGTH

Think you’ve got strength and stamina? Test your skills in our Stein-Holding Contests!

Competitors will see who can hold a full stein (beer or root beer) at arm’s length the longest—no spilling allowed. Adult contests begin at 1:30 pm; kids’ contests will follow.

Adults (21+): $25 entry—official 24 oz glass stein + beer
Youth (3rd-8th grades): $15 entry—16 oz plastic stein + root beer
Kids (Pre-K-2nd): $10 entry—8 oz version of Youth

Prizes and bragging rights await the champions! Pre-registration appreciated, but day-of sign-ups will be accepted. Register below.

Arm-strength not your thing? We’d still love to see you in the gym as we cheer on our challengers! Or join the Horns & Tails contest between heats for a chance to win some cash.

HORNS & TAILS

Round 2 is here! Join us in the gym for our version of Heads and Tails, played between the Adult and Kids Stein-Holding Contests!

A new twist this year: players will choose their side (horns or tails) using a picture paddle. Paddles can be purchased in advance at the food station (cash or card)

Just $1 per person to play!

Kids and adults compete together, and the last player standing takes home half the pot!

FESTIVE FOODS

OXTOBERFEST MEALS

We’re once again serving up German-inspired favorites for this year’s Oxtoberfest feast!

Come hungry and enjoy:

🌭 Brats & Hotdogs grilled by our KofCs

🥔 German Potato Salad

🥨 Soft Pretzels

🍟 Chips & Drinks to round out your meal

Plan to grab lunch or a snack and savor the flavors of the season while supporting our parish celebration!

BIERGARTEN

Lean into the Oktoberfest spirit and enjoy a cool drink from our Biergarten!

You’ll find plenty of festive cheer—and a selection of adult beverages—under the tent in the gym.

Raise a glass, relax with friends, and toast to community!

BAKE SALE

All the sweets you can imagine (and a few savory surprises)! Our incredible parish bakers are busy preparing breads, cakes, pies, snack mixes, and more.

Everything will be individually wrapped or bundled in packs, perfect for enjoying at the festival or taking home. Save some room for dessert and bring a taste of Oxtoberfest home with you!

FREE ENTERTAINMENT

THE KIDS' TENT 🎈

Moving to the east side this year, our Kids' Tent is still the place to start for free, festive fun just for kids!

Under the canopy, you’ll find face painting, balloon animals, and our inflatable oxen races for younger kiddos.

Kids can also enjoy free-play yard games like Jumbo Connect 4, ladder ball, and kid-sized cornhole, plus new additions like Jumbo KerPlunk!, and a bubble zone nearby adds even more fun! Games are open throughout the event, while face painting and balloon animals will be available from 12:30-2:30 pm.

Parents, please note: We plan to have volunteer yard monitors available to help with game play and supplies throughout the day. However, parents remain responsible for their children’s safety and for encouraging cooperative play in the game areas.

NEW MINI-PRIZE GAMES🏁

Two of our new free-play games come with a chance to win mini-prizes this year! Walk the Treat Trail for a chance to win a scoop of custard from Culver’s or a coupon for our Bake Sale. Derby winners get to choose their own trophy from our prize buckets!

KofC SOCCER SHOOTOUT ⚽

The St. Luke’s Knights of Columbus are once again hosting their popular Soccer Challenge during Oxtoberfest!

This penalty kick-style shootout is open to kids ages 9–14, regardless of skill level. Participants can test their aim with as many shots at the target as they like—just for fun or for bragging rights!

Join us on the east lawn from 12:30-2:30 pm and take your best shot!

PHOTO BOOTH 📸

Capture the memories of the day! Stop by our photo booth backdrop to take a few festive photos with family and friends. You’ll find it conveniently attached to the side of the Biergarten tent in the gym.

With so many ways to add joy to your day, Oxtoberfest is the perfect celebration of faith, fellowship, and fall fun! Everyone is welcome—bring friends, bring family, and help us make this festival truly special.

We can’t wait to see you Saturday!