Kearney’s 15th Annual Jim Bach Memorial Oktoberfest takes over Lions Park and the surrounding downtown area Saturday, October 3, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The community celebration, hosted by the Kearney Enrichment Council and the City of Kearney, brings together live music, local vendors, food trucks, children’s activities, a beer tent and a full afternoon of Oktoberfest-style competitions.

A full day in downtown Kearney

The festival’s main attractions run throughout the day, including the Oktoberfest Adventure Park, Family Fun Zone, Food Truck Alley, Vendor Village and Beer Tent.

The Adventure Park will be set up on West Washington Street with inflatables and a climbing rock wall, giving families another reason to make a day of the event.

The Family Fun Zone is designed to make the festival more than an adults-only Oktoberfest stop, with activities aimed at children and families as well.

Story Time presented by Kearney’s Mid-Continent Public Library begins at 11 a.m. on Stage 2, followed by the Mayor Keg Tapping at 11:45 a.m. on Stage 1.

Music and performances fill the afternoon

The Brian McCarty Band is scheduled to play from noon to 2 p.m. on Stage 1, while a 320 Dance performance begins at noon on Second Street.

At 1 p.m., Stage 2 turns into a “Shake It Off Kearney” Swiftie Dance Party, followed at 1:30 p.m. by a Gold Girls performance on Second Street.

Kearney High School Band performs at 2 p.m., Advantage Martial Arts follows at 2:30 p.m., and The Luck of the Draw plays on Stage 1 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

A Foam Party runs from 3 to 4 p.m. on Stage 2, with Limitless Martial Arts performing on Second Street at 4 p.m.

The afternoon ends with classic Oktoberfest competition

At 4 p.m., the festival’s Oktoberfest competitions begin, including Beer Maid, Yodeling, Couples Carry and Keg Toss contests.

Those competitions are part of what gives the event its own hometown Oktoberfest personality rather than making it simply another fall street festival.

Tripolar closes out the musical schedule on Stage 1 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Remembering Jim Bach

The event also carries a local memorial purpose.

Jim Bach was a dedicated member of St. Michael’s Knights of Columbus Council 8915 and played an important role in helping launch Oktoberfest in Kearney.

The annual celebration now bears his name and recognizes the community spirit behind the festival’s beginnings.

All proceeds from this year’s event support the Kearney Enrichment Council, whose programs include youth activities, senior services and community events throughout Kearney and Holt.

Legacy Home Collective is the presenting sponsor for the 2026 celebration.

Why the festival matters beyond Saturday

The Kearney Enrichment Council is a nonprofit organization focused on improving quality of life in Kearney and Holt through youth programs, senior services, community events and downtown revitalization efforts.

Its annual events are designed to create shared gathering places while also helping fund programs that continue long after tents and stages come down.

That gives Oktoberfest a dual role: it is a fall celebration for the public and a fundraiser that helps support year-round community work.

What to know before you go

Oktoberfest runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the Lions Park area of downtown Kearney.

Because several activities are spread around Lions Park, West Washington Street and Second Street, visitors should expect a busy downtown setting and allow extra time to park and walk into the festival area.

Organizers advise visitors to check the event page or social media for any last-minute schedule changes.

For Kearney residents, Oktoberfest is less about traveling somewhere for fall entertainment and more about finding a full afternoon of it right in the middle of town.

Call to action: If you make it to Oktoberfest, share your favorite part of the day with The Kearney Buzz & Beyond and send the story to a neighbor who may still be deciding whether to head downtown. Subscribe for more Kearney events, local news and community updates.