What’s Happening: October 17th – 19th

Did someone say festival?

Hitch up your lederhosen. If you are hungry for a brat Oktoberfest is this weekend. Enjoy Bavarian cuisine, along with beer and wine imported from Germany.

Oktoberfest is Friday, October 17, 2008 and Saturday, October 18, 2008 at Independence Mall in Wilmington. The hours are from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The entry fee is $3.

Get ready for a spooky good time. It is Poplar Grove Plantation’s 27th Annual Halloween Festival. Along with a haunted barn, house and hayrides there will be carnival rides and games for the kids. Do not forget to dress in costume! The festival runs from 6:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Saturday, and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Although Halloween is right around the corner, Carolina Beach is still enjoying summer. All day Saturday it is the Summer Never Ends Celebration at the boardwalk and gazebo. Enjoy music, arts, crafts, and pony rides.

While over in Pender County, Topsail Island is celebrating the season with its Autumn with Topsail Festival. There will be music, food, art vendors, games and rides for the kids. The festival is located in front of the Assembly Building in Topsail Beach. Admission price is $3 per person, children twelve and under are free.

Beer connoisseurs will enjoy a trip to Hugh MacRae Park on Saturday for the 7th Annual Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival. More than 50 breweries will have more than 150 different beers for you to sample. There is also food, music and a courtesy shuttle. The festival runs from 1:00 p.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Keeping with the flow of festival weekend, it is also the 28th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival at Ocean Isle. There will be live entertainment, arts and crafts, food, a kid’s area, oyster shucking and an oyster stew cook-off. The festival will be in front of the Museum of Coastal Carolina both Friday and Saturday.

Did you know it is the international year of the organ? The Wilmington Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is holding two events to celebrate. An organ and architectural tour begins Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church at 4:00 p.m. On Sunday at 4:00 p.m., an organ concert will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Both events are free.

To find other event happening this weekend, visit out Community Calendar.