By Abigail Kress

Accordion music filled the ears of attendees of the Oktoberfest held in Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Sept. 19-21. The festival celebrated its 45th anniversary and has raised over $3 million to date to donate to various charities in the area.

Some of the recent charities to benefit include Falls Cancer Club, the Cuyahoga Falls Firefighter Memorial Foundation, Keys To Serenity, Scholarships to Cuyahoga Falls High School and Woodridge High School Students and many more.

Eight high school seniors were awarded the Bob Cochran Memorial Oktoberfest Scholarship for 2025, and highlights of the festival were the music, vendors, food and beer. 

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus came from as far as Columbus to be at the festival. Co-Chair Billy Harding of the Oktoberfest mentioned that the committee works year-round on the festival.

Missing Mountain & Lock 15, McArthur’s Brew house, Ignite, HiHO, and Craft Seltzers were the five breweries on tap at the festival, posted at different locations around the downtown area.