Waukesha Oktoberfest Concludes With Record 4,100+ Attendees; Parking Attendants Report "Controlled Chaos"

WAUKESHA — The city's annual Oktoberfest wrapped up Saturday night at Frame Park with an estimated 4,100 attendees across both days, a 12 percent increase over last year's preliminary count, according to figures released by the parks department Sunday morning. The increase was enough to fill the overflow lot off Moreland Boulevard for the first time in the festival's recent history, a milestone city officials characterized as "a good problem."

Parking attendant Marcus Dietrich, 34, who has worked the festival's two main lots for three consecutive years, described Saturday night's conditions as "controlled chaos, maybe 70-30 in our favor." Dietrich said the ratio held steady from roughly 6 p.m. until close, with the 30 percent representing what he called "guys who parked in the fire lane and then argued about it."

The Numbers

City estimates put Friday attendance at 1,800 and Saturday at 2,300, both figures derived from gate counts and a wristband tally the parks department began using this year after last year's headcount was, in the department's own words, "more of an impression than a number." The 4,100 combined total edges out last year's estimated 3,660, itself an increase over the roughly 3,100 who attended the year before.

The festival's stein-holding competition, now in its sixth year, drew 22 entrants, up from 15 last year. The men's division was won by Todd Rasmussen, 41, of the town of Waukesha, who held a full liter stein at arm's length for 6 minutes and 40 seconds, edging out defending champion Karl Bruegger by 11 seconds. The women's division was won by first-time entrant Denise Okafor, 29, at 5 minutes flat.

"Controlled chaos, maybe 70-30 in our favor."

— Marcus Dietrich, parking attendant

Getting In, Getting Out

The city reported no major traffic incidents over the weekend, though residents leaving the festival after 8:30 p.m. Saturday experienced delays of up to 12 minutes on Moreland Boulevard as both festival lots emptied at once. A handful of attendees who parked on side streets near Frame Park said they were confused by the one-way grid a few blocks north, a recurring complaint the city has heard every year the festival has run.

Councilman Gary Puchalski, who attended Saturday's laser light show, said the parking situation this year represented "real, measurable progress" over previous years, in which the department relied on a single volunteer with an orange vest and a golf cart. This year's operation included six paid attendants, two tow-capable trucks on standby, and a printed map handed out at the Piggly Wiggly on East Sunset Drive in the week leading up to the event.

"We planned for 3,600 people and we got 4,100," Puchalski said. "That's the kind of miss you can live with."

What's Next

Parks department staff said they would review this year's numbers before finalizing plans for next year's festival, including whether to expand the overflow lot or add a third day. Dietrich, for his part, said he'd take the same job again if asked, though he had one request for next year.

"Cones," he said. "More cones. I'm not asking for much."