The third annual Oktoberfest Pittsburgh will return with a new identity: Prostburgh.<\/p>\n
Organizers unveiled the new \u201ccelebration concept\u201d Thursday morning during a preview of the German-inspired festival, which returns to Downtown Pittsburgh Oct. 1-11.<\/p>\n
Created by the Gatesman agency with organizers Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Flyspace Productions, Prostburgh is intended to better capture the convergence of present-day Pittsburgh and Munich\u2019s Oktoberfest \u2014 the world\u2019s largest folk festival and a 191-year-old German tradition.<\/p>\n
Shannon Baker, board chair and creative partner at Gatesman, explained that \u201cprost\u201d translates roughly to \u201ccheers\u201d or \u201cbe well\u201d in German.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the origins are actually from the Latin word \u2018prosit,\u2019 which translates to \u2018may it be beneficial,\u2019\u201d Baker said. \u201cAnd nothing is more beneficial than connection. We hope all of you agree that Prostburgh captures that feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Organizers hope the new identity helps establish the relatively young festival as a Pittsburgh tradition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been doing some research on Oktoberfest, and we have some fun things to really cement this as the Oktoberfest for Southwestern Pennsylvania,\u201d said Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.<\/p>\n
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato issued a proclamation Thursday declaring Prostburgh the official 2026 Oktoberfest celebration of Allegheny County. She said the festival is also developing as a Pittsburgh family tradition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that this event is getting on families\u2019 calendars,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I love events like this: We can celebrate traditions from halfway around the world and really make it uniquely Pittsburgh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Returning Oktoberfest attractions include the fan-favorite 60-foot Ferris wheel on the Roberto Clemente Bridge, along with carnival-style games.<\/p>\n
Stein-holding competitions and dachshund races hosted by the YaJagoff! Podcast will take place Saturdays and Sundays in Market Square. A dedicated \u201ckinderplay\u201d area curated by the Children\u2019s Museum, axe throwing and various crafts will also fill the square. Live music ranges from traditional polka bands, including Pittsburgh\u2019s Polkamaniacs, to contemporary acts.<\/p>\n
German food and beer again round out the festivities. Imported German beers include a \u201cbright\u201d helles lager, dark (dunkel) wheat beer and traditional Festbier, part of a lineup of 10 beers on draft. Brew Gentlemen in Braddock will also offer a local Oktoberfest beer.<\/p>\n
A Bavarian menu will include bratwurst and knockwurst sandwiches, potato pancakes, warm pretzels and desserts, along with food from Primanti Bros., Cocky\u2019s Coop and City Works.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, there really is something for everybody,\u201d said Flyspace senior hospitality director Brian Steen, who showed off selections Thursday wearing lederhosen beneath a tent decorated with inflatable pretzels.<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s preview ended with event organizers and local officials trying their hand at a stein-holding competition.<\/p>\n
Innamorato, who announced her pregnancy in July, still managed nearly three minutes. Pittsburgh City Councilman Bobby Wilson, a former champion, reclaimed bragging rights after holding up a five-pound stein for four-and-a-half minutes.<\/p>\n