Get out the Lederhosen.
Planners for this year’s PA Oktoberfest will encourage participants to wear the traditional German breeches for the event’s inaugural Lederhosen 5K, which takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, the second day of the festival at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township.
The three-day, 21-and-over PA Oktoberfest runs from 4:30 to 11 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the casino racetrack.
The event will feature more than 60 beer and cider selections on tap, as well as German food from restaurants like the Alpine Wurst and Meat House.
“It’s a great selection of brauts and burgers, pizza and pretzels, and everything you’d want,” said Timothy Holmes, an Oktoberfest organizer and regional director of marketing and events for festival presenter Times-Shamrock Communications.
Race registration for the Lederhosen 5K will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m., and the $15 registration fee includes admission to the festival.
Holmes said he’s participated in runs throughout the area, and as they are rising in popularity, it made sense to create the Lederhosen 5K.
“It’s really become a big part of what folks are doing these days,” he said.
The organizers mapped out a course that includes the racetrack and the trails throughout the Mohegan Sun Pocono grounds. Holmes said lederhosen aren’t required for the race, although people are encouraged to dress up and have fun with it. Some of the course will be muddy, so racers should be prepared, he added.
“We run around the track to get things started, and then we head off into the trails,” he said. “Rain or shine, it’s going to get muddy out there ... They’re going to be finishing with yards of our beer tents, so they can hang around and have a fun time afterward.”
Right after the human race ends, the wiener dog races for Saturday will begin. Registration has ended for the event, which is popular every year, Holmes said.
The races, which feature dachshund running down, around, backwards, and any which way a straightaway, take place all three days of the festival. Races will be held at 6 and 9 p.m. today, noon, 3, 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday, and noon and 3 p.m. Sunday.
Another new feature this year is Sam Adams’ coordination of the stein hoisting contest, Holmes said. It requires people to hold a full beer stein straight out for as long as possible.
The brewing company has been going out to area bars to get people qualified for the contests, which will be held at 7 p.m. today, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Those who win can qualify to be on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
“It’s a really dramatic and fun event,” Holmes said.
Sports fans can enjoy the ESPN Radio sports tent, which will air all the weekend’s NFL and college football games.
Musical favorites like Romy, Joe Stanky and his Cadets and John Stanky and the Coalminers will be performing again this year.
Mohegan Sun Pocono will also provide $10 in free slot play to everyone who comes to the event. Tickets are $5, and are buy one get one free at ShurSave locations throughout the area.