Arnold Oktoberfest continuing in memory of late fire Chief Keith Dziobak

Keith Dziobak was always interested in craft beer and had started brewing in the basement of his Arnold home.

“It was a hobby he got into,” said his daughter, Tara Dziobak. “He liked going to different beer festivals, so he thought, ‘Why not bring the festival to us?’ ”

His interest brought about the first Oktoberfest in Arnold last year.

Keith Dziobak, who was chief of Arnold Volunteer Engine Company No. 2, died unexpectedly in March. He was 57.

The Oktoberfest is returning this year as a memorial to him and as a fundraiser for his fire department.

The Arnold No. 2 Chief Dziobak Memorial Oktoberfest will be from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the fire company’s training and social center, 1702 Fifth Ave.

A late idea, the first event last year was put together quickly. It had German food, three beer vendors, raffles and a DJ. About 80 people attended, Tara Dziobak said.

Keith Dziobak wanted to have the event again this year and had started working on plans for it, fire department spokesman Chris O’Leath said.

“After his passing, his daughter, Tara, picked up that mantle and wanted to run with it. Our company decided to do it as a memorial and name the event after him,” O’Leath said. “I know that her father would be extremely proud of the event she has built and the effort she has put into it.”

Continuing the Oktoberfest was a hard decision, Dziobak said.

“I knew it was something he wanted to continue doing,” she said.

This year’s event will be bigger — with four breweries, a winery and a distillery participating — and family-friendly with games and activities for children.

“It should be a fun, family event,” O’Leath said. “It’s not geared just for beer drinkers.”

Children’s activities will include face painting, coloring, a selfie station with German-themed props and games such as cornhole.

Hot dogs will be available for kids not interested in the German food, which will include kielbasa sandwiches, cabbage and noodles, and pretzels with beer cheese.

Arnold doesn’t have a large German population, Tara Dziobak said, but culture isn’t the motivating reason behind the Oktoberfest.

“The craft beer scene is getting so much bigger,” she said. “It’s a way for people to try different styles of beer and from different breweries without having to travel.”

Events will include a stein-holding competition with categories for men and women ages 21 to 45, and 46 and older. The idea is to see who can hold a glass stein containing 20 ounces of water at a 90-degree angle the longest.

“I never realized until looking at this how heavy a glass stein actually is,” Tara Dziobak said.

There also will be basket and 50-50 raffles and chuck-a-luck.

Bring your ID

There is no admission fee, and tickets are not needed to enter, but adults should bring identification for wristbands so vendors won’t have to check ages.

Tara Dziobak said organizers hope to keep the Oktoberfest going and growing as an annual event and memorial to her father.

“I’m hoping people come out and have a good time and that it brings the community together,” she said.