What to know about Bockfest 2024, from the parade to the sausage queen
Sausage queens and kings: It's time to raise those steins and head to Over-the-Rhine for the 32nd annual Bockfest.
The three-day party celebrating OTR's brewing heritage and all things bock beer returns this weekend March 1-3.
This year's festival will be a bit different from previous years, as the events are spread across three breweries – Moerlein Lager House, Rhinegeist and Northern Row – rather than concentrated in one Bockfest Hall. The location of what was once the Bockfest 5K (now the Bock Beer 5K) has also changed.
Ready to party like a bockstar? Here's everything you need to know before going to Bockfest.
When and where is Bockfest 2024?
The 32nd Bockfest is March 1-3 at a number of participating locations in Downtown and OTR. The main events will take place at the three Bockfest Halls: Moerlein Lager House, Rhinegeist and Northern Row.
Admission, music and entertainment at the Bockfest Halls and other official venues are free.
This year, the festival is being sponsored by Servatii Pastry Shop.
What's new to Bockfest this year?
As previously mentioned, there will be three Bockfest Halls at Moerlein Lager House, Rhinegeist and Northern Row.
Because of the multi-site Bockfest Hall, the Bock Beer 5K, taking place March 2, has moved from OTR to The Banks.
What is bock beer?
Bock beer, which originated in Germany, is complex and hardy with a relatively high alcohol content.
Cincinnati was a brewing city in the 1800s, and Over-the-Rhine was the center of beer production and consumption. According to Bockfest, bock beer is traditionally brewed for special occasions, with a particular link to spring due to German monks drinking it as a substitute for food during Lenten fasts.
Bockfest was created by the Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Co. to celebrate the brewery’s introduction of Christian Moerlein Bock, according to organizers. The company eventually decided to make the launch of the bock beer into an entire festival.
When is the Bockfest Parade?
The annual parade, traditionally led by a goat pulling a keg and the reigning Sausage Queen, will start to form in front of Arnold's Bar & Grill, at 210 E. Eighth St., at 5 p.m. Friday, March 1.
The parade will begin its route down Sycamore St. by 6 p.m. before ending at the crossing of 13th and Clay streets.
The Best of Bock float will receive a special custom trophy presented at Northern Row on Saturday. These are the other awards up for grabs:
Best costumes.
Best goat or animal representation.
Best musical entry.
Best dance troupe.
Best brewery, bar or restaurant.
Best German or heritage themed entry.
Main Street Choice Award.
Only registered participants are eligible for parade awards. Registration for 2024 is now closed.
When is the Bockfest 5K?
The annual race, called the Bock Beer 5K this year, is Saturday, March 2, at 10 a.m. All proceeds support the Brewery District and the Brewing Heritage Trail.
Virtual registration is now open on the race's website.
The race begins and ends along the 20 block of West Freedom Way in The Banks.
The route will travel up West Freedom Way, turn and head down Elm Street around Paycor Stadium, and progress down the Ohio River Trail before crossing to Newport over the Taylor Southgate Bridge. Runners will then loop back across the bridge and down the Ohio River Trail before returning to the 20 block of West Freedom Way to finish, where there will be a post-race party.
Bockfest 2024 schedule
Here's what's on the schedule across the three Bockfest Halls for each day of the festival.
Friday, March 1
Noon: Keg Tapping to celebrate the 171st anniversary of the founding of Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. at Moerlein Lager House.
Noon to 6 p.m.: Official Bockfest Happy Hour with $5 Bock Beer Pints at Moerlein Lager House.
Noon to 9 p.m.: Live music at Moerlein Lager House.
5 p.m.: Bock Bar with 21 local bock beers on draft open at Rhinegeist.
6 p.m.: Bockfest Parade starting at Arnold's Bar & Grill, 210 E. Eighth St.
6-8 p.m.: Beer poking (caramelize your beer with a hot poker) at Northern Row.
6-9 p.m.: Jazz Trio at Northern Row.
7:15-10:15 p.m.: Live music at Rhinegeist.
Saturday, March 2
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Official Bockfest Brunch. Make reservations here.
Noon to 6:30 p.m.: Live music at Rhinegeist.
Noon to 9 p.m.: Try all 21 of the Bock Beers with a special sampling package at Moerlein Lager House. Purchase tickets here.
12:30 p.m.: Tapping of the 2023 Bockfest Brewing Champions Beer at Moerlein Lager House.
1-5 p.m.: Live music with Zinzinnati Beer Band at Moerlein Lager House.
2 p.m.: Parade award announcements at Northern Row.
4 p.m.: Bock Beer Competition winner announcements and award ceremony at Moerlein Lager House.
5-9 p.m.: Live acoustic music at Moerlein Lager House.
7-8:30 p.m.: Sausage Queen finals at Rhinegeist.
8:30-10:30 p.m.: Live music with the Hot Magnolias at Rhinegeist.
Sunday, March 3
9:30-10:30 a.m.: Goat yoga at Rhinegeist. Get tickets here.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Official Bockfest Brunch at Moerlein Lager House. Make reservations here.
10:45-11:45 a.m.: Goat yoga at Rhinegeist. Get tickets here.
Noon to 7 p.m.: Try all 21 of the Bock Beers with a special sampling package at Moerlein Lager House. Purchase tickets here.
12:30-3:30 p.m.: Free goat petting zoo at Northern Row.
1-6 p.m.: Authentic German-style rotisserie chicken dinner with a bock beer at Moerlein Lager House. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
1 p.m.: Welcome ceremony and keg tapping at Moerlein Lager House.
1:30-6 p.m.: Live German band at Moerlein Lager House.
2 p.m.: .05K Fun Run at Northern Row. Make it the 164 feet and be rewarded with a limited edition T-shirt, bottle opener medal and a beer. Register here.
3-4:30 p.m.: German dance group at Moerlein Lager House.
Download the free Bockfest app for iOS and Android for a full listing of bock beers at each location and event schedules.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bockfest 2024: Locations, schedule, parade, 5K and more
