Blaine’s Oktoberfest is one month out, and the city has locked in a full day of music, food and family activities for October 3 at Tom Ryan Park and the adjacent Blaine City Hall grounds. The free event runs from noon to 8:30 p.m. with free admission and free parking, and it wraps with a set from heartland rock act GB Leighton, who will help close out the celebration.
The countdown was flagged in a post from BlaineParksMN on Facebook, which noted the festival is exactly 30 days away as of Thursday. Full event details, including maps and vendor information, are posted at blainemn.gov/Oktoberfest.
A Day-Long Music Lineup Builds to GB Leighton
According to event schedules published by the City of Blaine, the day’s live performances at the Tom Ryan Park performance shelter next to City Hall kick off with Fiddle and Flannels from noon to 1:30 p.m. From there, 90s and 2000s rock band Anti-Skip Protection takes over from 3 to 5 p.m., setting the stage for headliner GB Leighton at 5:30 p.m.
GB Leighton has deep Twin Cities roots. Minnesota native Brian Leighton formed the band in 1988 and has built an independent following across 14 albums and more than 200 shows a year without major-label backing, according to an interview published by Making A Scene. Leighton has cited Bruce Springsteen and heartland rock as major influences on his songwriting, the outlet notes.
Beer Garden, Petting Zoo and a Craft Fair Round Out the Grounds
Beyond the music, this year’s celebration features family activities including bounce houses, a petting zoo, a rock climbing wall, and a fall craft fair, along with local food vendors such as I&E Treats and Nautical Bowls, per event listings from BaseLocal. The festival’s Oktoberfest beer garden also returns, continuing a tradition that dates back to the event’s first year…