By Eric Surber

Körner’s Folly’s annual beer and wine tasting brings the community together for good food, delicious drink, and a great cause. 

Tasting glasses are raised.  Beer is tasted.  And great food, music, and history will be enjoyed at Körner’s Folly’s 5th Annual Oktoberfest.  History–quite literally–comes alive when community members taste for a cause.

On Saturday, October 3 local breweries and Kernersville’s favorite restaurants will spread across the main lawn at Körner’s Folly, sampling their delicious German-inspired treats.  The Oktoberfest, presented by PuraVida Promotions, Coldwell Banker Triad Realtors, and Highland Industries benefits the continued operation of Kernersville’s most iconic historical house.

“This event is just a blast,” says Dale Pennington, Executive Director of Körner’s Folly.  “It is great to see people enjoying the house museum in a relaxed, celebratory environment, and the home’s north lawn provides the perfect backdrop.  Attendees can see exactly what they are supporting.”

Each October, the Foundation builds a tent over the north lawn.  Surrounding the tent are booths where knowledgeable brew masters, vintners, and chefs offer both expertise and delicious four ounce pours and small bites.  At check-in, participants receive a wristband, tasting glass, and a program for taking tasting notes.

Armed with these essentials, the fun begins.

This year’s event will feature a variety of Southern and German inspired treats.  Try pumpkin harvest-flavored beers from R.H Barringer, and brews from the Brewer’s Kettle and Hoots Roller Bar.  New this year are Pig Pounder Brewery from Greensboro and Stonefield Cellars from Stokesdale, offering samplings of their popular selections.  The variety of artisanal beers and wines will interest even the most judicious of tasters.

As for food, try pumpkin spice cupcakes from Cake and All Things Yummy, Hops and Nuts famous hand-crafted beer-soaked peanuts, the Low Price Mart & Grill’s finger foods, and J. Peppers delicious Southern cuisine.  Bratwursts hot off the grill will be served along with a variety of savory sauces from Sauceez.  With more than 10 food and beverage sponsors, we can ensure continuous tasting throughout the event.  As one person last year described, “It is like sampling food at Costco, but there is no shame in returning for another taste.”

Tasting for a Cause 

This year, participants will raise their tasting glasses in celebration of the beginning of interior restoration.  Körner’s Folly recently completed the restoration of two rooms; the Blue Room and the Rose Room.  Last year, roof restoration was completed a few weeks before Oktoberfest, allowing restoration to move inside.  The Foundation has wasted no time.

Immediately after the 2014 Oktoberfest, the Foundation began the process of painting, repairing, and replacing the broken and deteriorated furnishings in these two rooms.  Steadily, the house is regaining its Victorian grandeur.  The Main Kitchen is currently being restored, and before the event, ticket holders can learn about the restoration process and see how the kitchen is being fully restored.

The non-profit foundation relies entirely on community support and on their largest fundraiser, the Kernersville Oktoberfest, to keep Körner’s Folly open to visitors.  The Oktoberfest’s past successes have enabled Körner’s Folly to continue delighting visitors with tours of Kernersville’s whimsical and iconic landmark home.  Attending the Oktoberfest contributes directly to the house museum’s continued operation.

Get Your Tickets 

Limited tickets are available.  Tickets are $30 per person.  Pre-purchasing tickets is highly encouraged, as the event typically sells out several weeks in advance.  Each ticket admits one person to taste food and beverages.  Ticket holders are invited to take a complimentary tour of Körner’s Folly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the day of the event to see first-hand the restoration projects Oktoberfest supports.  At 4 p.m., the house will close to let the tasting begin.  Tours typically take forty-five minutes to one hour, so we recommend arriving at 3 p.m. to check in and tour Körner’s Folly, then join the festivities on the lawn at 4 p.m.

A piece of helpful advice is to bring a lawn chair–seating is limited.  Also, be sure to watch the weather the day of the event. It will take place rain or shine, and the tickets are non-refundable.  Due to the nature of the event, only people 21 years of age and older will be admitted into the tasting area–no babies, toddlers, or strollers.

Kernersville’s heritage is deeply rooted in Germany, specifically the Black Forest area. Experience German-inspired food, drink, and hospitality right here, on South Main Street in Kernersville.  Pick your pour.  Raise your glass.  And cheers to the Folly!

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Thank you to our many wonderful sponsors whose generous contributions ensure our event’s success:

PuraVida Promotions

Coldwell Banker Triad, Realtors

Highland Industries

A+ Ready Restrooms

BB&T Kernersville

Best Logistics Company

Brite Boys Brewing

Cake and All Things Yummy

Exxon Low Price Mart & Grill

Hoots Roller Bar

Hops and Nuts

J. Peppers Southern Grill

Kernersville Magazine

Kernersville Sister City Association

Long Insurance Services

McDaniel and Company

NE Inspection Solutions

OutWest Steakhouse and Saddleroom

Pig Pounder Brewery

Project Management Quality Services

R.H. Barringer Distributing

Sauceez Fine Foods

Sixty Six Pizzeria Grill and Bar

Stonefield Cellars

The Brewer’s Kettle Kernersville

The Packaging Source

The Reuben Rink Company

Veritas Construction

Wolfe & Associates