Wilkinson ERA and Lowes Foods Present:
The 7th Annual Kernersville Oktoberfest
By Dale Pennington
The Piedmont Triad will once again raise tasting glasses in support of the iconic Körner’s Folly on Saturday, October 7. Presented by Wilkinson ERA and Lowes Foods, the 7th Annual Kernersville Oktoberfest is a celebration of great local food, local history, and Kernersville’s German heritage. Taking place on the lawn at Körner’s Folly, come enjoy fantastic local food and beverages in the spirit of a German Oktoberfest
Ticket sales benefit the continued operation and restoration of historic Körner’s Folly, while providing guests with a great sampling of local and German-inspired treats. For craft beer lovers, this year’s event will feature local and seasonal craft beers from across the Triad. The Brewer’s Kettle of Kernersville will be pouring Hacker-Pschorr from Munich and authentic Oktoberfest Marzens. Hoots Beer Company and Kernersville Brewing Company will be pouring their local favorites and seasonal specialties. New this year, we welcome Preyer Brewing Company, a family owned and operated craft brewery from Greensboro. Nicole Preyer says, “We brew a range of styles, so that everyone–from connoisseur to craft newcomer–can find a beer to enjoy. A few fan favorites remain permanently on our taps, but most our beer portfolio shifts seasonally, meaning that there is usually something new or unique to try.” New this year, the Beer Den from the recently opened Lowes Foods in Kernersville will be pouring fall and pumpkin beer varieties. For the wine lovers, Childress Vineyards will hold a tasting of three of their award-winning varieties. In total, event attendees can taste over 12 varieties of beer and wine. All alcohol is poured into a complimentary souvenir tasting glass, provided upon entry.
No Kernersville Oktoberfest would be complete without a strong local menu to accompany all the beverages! This year’s event looks to be the best food selection yet! First, visit the authentic German Grill to pick up a bratwurst, and sample a variety of custom bratwurst sauces from Sauceez Fine Foods (limit 1 bratwurst per attendee). Next, head over to local favorites, Exxon Low Price Mart and Grill, for onion rings, fried okra, and boneless chicken wings, and then on to the Sagebrush Steakhouse booth for more tasty treats. Lowes Foods will also have a table with more sausages to sample and other specialty foods. Lastly, for dessert, do not miss the popular Cake and All Things Yummy tent for a pumpkin spice or black forest cupcake (limit 1 cupcake per attendee).
Tickets are $30 per person. Due to the nature of this event, and the ABC Board regulations, no one under 21 can attend. Tickets are limited in quantity, and frequently sell out several weeks ahead of the event. Do not miss out on the fun–purchase your tickets right now at www.KornersFolly.org. Each ticket admits one person into the event, which includes food and beverage tasting, a souvenir tasting glass, and a house tour of historic Körner’s Folly.
Participants are invited to learn about the history of Körner’s Folly between 1-4 pm the day of the event, or on Sunday, October 8 from 1-4 pm. Even if you have toured Körner’s Folly previously, the house is undergoing an important transformation. New rooms are restored each year, and it is a remarkable time to see Historic Preservation in action. The self-guided tour lets you see first-hand the restoration and educational projects Oktoberfest supports. At 4 pm Saturday, the house will close to let the tasting begin.
Some helpful advice before attending the event is to be sure to bring a lawn chair and a photo ID. Also, only people aged 21 and up are admitted to the event–so leave the stroller behind and make it a parent’s night out. The tasting will take place rain or shine, in the event of severe weather, it will be moved to an indoor location. October is an interesting month in North Carolina. It could be hot and sunny, or quite cold, so please dress accordingly. Shade is very limited, so wear sunscreen or bring sunglasses if it looks like a hot day. The dress code is casual, and remember that you will be walking around on grass and gravel. Lederhosen or dirndl are always in style at this event.
Parking is limited, so we encourage carpooling with a designated driver. Or better yet, get dropped off and picked up by a designated driver, taxi, or uber. Parking is available in the grass lot beside Körner’s Folly (413 South Main Street), at the Kernersville Moravian Church (504 South Main Street), and at the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Gardens (215 South Main Street). Look for our event signs in the parking lot.
Fundraisers like Kernersville Oktoberfest help keep Körner’s Folly open to the public, now and in the future. On October 7, you can support our mission to restore and preserve Körner’s Folly for the education and enjoyment of the public by tasting delicious beer and food in the heart of downtown Kernersville. Great food, drinks, and a great community cause, how much better does it get?!
Want to get involved? For tickets, sponsorships, volunteering opportunities, and other information please visit www.KornersFolly.org or call (336) 996-7922. Körner’s Folly is open for self-guided tours Wednesdays-Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm, Sundays 1 pm – 4 pm. Guided group tours are available by appointment.
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A very special thank you to our current 2017 sponsors:
Lowes Food
Wilkinson ERA

A+ Ready Restrooms
Andy Strand
BB&T, Kernersville
Best Logistics
The Brewer’s Kettle
Cake & All Things Yummy
Carmine’s Import Service
ChemSource Direct
Childress Vineyards
Exxon Low Price Mart & Grill
Highland Industries
Hoots Beer Company
Kernersville Brewing Company
Kernersville Magazine
Kernersville Sister City Association
Kickback Catering
Long Insurance Services
McDaniel & Company PLLC
Myron and Angie Pearman
OutWest Steakhouse
The Packaging Source
The Penny Path
Preyer Brewing Company
Ray Smith & Curtis Swisher
Renee Rogers
The Reuben Rink Company
Right Way Landscaping
Robinson & Lawing, LLP
Sagebrush Steakhouse
Sauceez Fine Foods
Sixty Six Pizzeria Grill and Bar
Smith Moore Leatherwood Law
Solace IT Solutions
Sue Williams
Veritas Construction
Walmart Neighborhood Market
Wilson-Covington Construction
Wolfe & Associates