An Oktoberfest-style celebration is on-tap to draw hundreds of people to downtown Benton Harbor, Mich. Sept. 21 from noon to 9 p.m. Artoberfest 2013 will showcase regional talent, breweries and wineries in an outdoor venue located on Park Street (next to the Livery Microbrewery) in the Benton Harbor Arts District. Free entrance to festival grounds from noon – 4 p.m.; after 4 p.m.
Cost for adults is $10, teens $5 and children 12 years and younger free. All proceeds will benefit the New Territory Arts Association.
The Artoberfest festival offers fun activities for the entire family.
At 1 p.m. “The New Artist Stage” will proudly present four young musicians who were selected from the many talented performers who have graced NTAA’s Open Stage at the Livery. Performances begin at 1 p.m.
This year features two headliner bands, The True Falsettos (truefalsettos.com) and Deacon Blues (deaconblueslive.com). At 4 p.m., the True Falsettos duo promises to get dancers kicking up the dust with music ranging from 30s / 40s style swing to tunes that rock. Deacon Blues, a Steely Band tribute band extraordinaire, takes the stage at 6 p.m. Playing regularly to sold-out shows, Deacon Blues is dedicated to presenting the music of Steely Dan in a new live show experience that perfectly captures the sound of the original band – you won’t believe it’s not Fagen and Becker on our main stage!
Our art fair will showcase regional professional and student artists from noon-7p.m. Discover jewelry, tie-dye, fashion, painting, sculpture, photography, glasswork…
Artoberfest will feature Michigan microbrews from Arcadia, Bells, Greenbush, The Livery, Shorts, Tapistry and a national tap from Rogue (Portland, OR).  Local and New World Wines will also be available.
ArtoberFOOD will be diverse and local:  Bessie’s Best Ice Cream, Carmelitas. Charlie’s Piggin’n’Grinn-in’, The Organic Gypsy, and more.
The New Territory Arts Association (NTAA) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to the revitalization of Benton Harbor through the arts. Founded in 1998 it has been responsible for many special Arts District events and arts-related programming. Through murals and banners, art auctions and festivals, arts education programming and scholarships, the NTAA helps create a unique, dynamic environment in downtown Benton Harbor for artists, visitors, area residents and business owners.
For more information about Artoberfest or to volunteer for this or other NTAA events and activities, contact: info@newterritoryarts.org or visit www.newterritoryarts.org.
Sponsors of Artoberfest 2013 include: Main Stage Sponsor: United Federal Credit Union; Boulevard Inn & Bistro, St. Joseph Holiday Inn Express, The Schalon Foundation; Brammall Supply, Chemical Bank, Edgewater Bank, Silver Beach Pizza, Third Coast Surf Shop, Thayer, Petz Carlton / Healing Paws, Silver Beach Hotel.