Farmer’s Storehouse hosts Oktoberfest

As fall celebrations go in the Upper Cumberland, there is a lot of focus on pumpkins, hayrides, and bonfires. There is also a focus on parties and sweets and spooks. But, this year, farmers around the Upper Cumberland came together to host what they hope is just the first of many annual Oktoberfest Harvest Celebrations.

Oktoberfest is traditionally a Bavarian festival that includes food and drink and games and entertainment and lots of celebrations. So, the Farmer’s Storehouse, a co-operative style entity in which farmers across the country provide bulk organic grains, grass-fed meat, natural food staples, and products, decided to throw a party of “epic proportions” as they opened their new location, on Smithville Highway, in Sparta.

The Oktoberfest Celebration included live entertainment in the form of a variety of bands and games, competitions, and awards. Bavarian foods, including a variety of giant pretzels – a staple in the Bavarian region of Europe – were made by head baker Ty Ulmer, using organic flour from the Farmer’s Storehouse.

The festivities also included both local and imported beers, and the first 300 guests who purchased tickets received real German Beer Steins imported from Europe.

Before Oktoberfest 2022 kicked off, the Farmer’s Storehouse hosted its Ribbon Cutting ceremony as they opened their new, bigger location and celebrated the success their business has become.

“Big thank you to all the customers, team members, friends and farmers that made it possible,” John Castanzo, owner of the Farmer’s Storehouse, said, as he thanked all those who helped the day of their first Oktoberfest Harvest Celebration be one to remember.