Prost! Sprankle’s Octoberfest at Lernerville Speedway aims to be authentic

Lauren Stumpp of the South Hills has a special connection with her mother, Carol Killian.

While growing up in New York City, the pair were part of a dance group at the Bavarian club Gemuetlichen Enzianer.

Stumpp, the second of five children, learned traditional German dance moves and celebrated their heritage.

She’s now part of the dance group D’Lustigen Isartaler of St. Anthony’s Church in Millvale.

They are among the performers at the sixth annual Sprankle’s Octoberfest at Lernerville Speedway in Buffalo Township this weekend.

The event kicked off Friday. It continues through Sunday.

“It really bonds me and my mother,” said Stumpp, a University of Pittsburgh medical student. “She has five children and it’s been the thing that has been our thing my whole life. It’s been very special. My grandparents met doing it. Fell in love (and) had children who all danced.”

Killian remains in New York City. She has performed in Germany’s Octoberfest and won a competition over there.

Killian said Sprankle’s has made its celebration as authentic as possible, and is proud to be supporting her family’s next generation of dancers.

“I think this looks like an amazing festival,” Killian said. “I think they are doing a good job in trying to make it more local. There are rides and amusements for the young kids, all different food groups. Of course lots of beer, lots of dancing and music. This is on a much smaller scale, but they are doing it well.”

Creating that genuine feel of celebration as it is in Munich was the goal, according to Bela Pater, director of events and community outreach at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Markets.

“We want to bring that experience, as much as we could, to Western Pennsylvania where so many people have a German American heritage,” Pater said. More than 36,000 people participated in last year’s Octoberfest.

The pit area of the dirt track racing venue is packed with more than 125 vendors, multiple rides and carnival fare from C&L Shows.

Hotel Saxonburg is sponsoring a bourbon bar under the 300-foot-long main tent.

Other activities include horse and carriage rides from Blackburn Farm, a magic act, standup comedy from a variety of comedians and various crafters and artisans.

Music is provided by German band The Shotskis of Cleveland, Ohio, and The PolkaMeisters of Pittsburgh.

Sprankle’s Octoberfest started in 2019 at Lingrow Farm in Gilpin. In 2020, the company held it at their store in Saxonburg, before using the grounds of the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Department in subsequent years.

Doug Sprankle, owner and founder of Sprankle’s Saxonburg store, said they decided to move it to Lernerville because of the festival’s continued growth.

Sprankle’s is one of the major sponsors of Lernerville. Planning for the event began shortly after the last one ended.

“I look at it for us and our team as a personal (Mount) Everest,” Sprankle said. “Anytime that we can work together and accomplish this for our community it makes me so proud. It’s why we work so hard. We work hard in the grocery business. We work hard in the community. This is how we really get together and celebrate our heritage and give opportunities for nonprofits and smaller vendors.”

Several drink vendors have special beverages for the festival. There is a commemorative bier stein available.

Leeanna Johnston, owner of Kelly’s Family Restaurant in Saxonburg, was among those making Bavarian pretzels.

“You never know what’s going to go on,” Johnston said. “It’s nice to see a lot of people smiling.”

She served salted pretzels with several dips and a stuffed pizza.

There are dog costume contests set for 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday followed by Doxie races.

A polka Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Sunday in honor of Corey Comperatore, the Buffalo Township man who was shot and killed at a nearby rally for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in July.

Parking is free and abundant. The site had been used as overflow parking in past years.

Sprankle’s Octoberfest continues 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. A full schedule is available online at spranklesoctoberfest.com.