PANAMA CITY – While oktoberfest in central Panama City has been cancelled due to COVID-19, an unofficial Oktoberfest will be held this weekend.
“We call it an event” with no events,” Jennifer Vigil, president and CEO of Destination Panama City, said at the Bay Arts Alliance monthly lunch at the Center for the Arts on September 2.
Panama City’s historic center has been celebrating Oktoberfest for over 30 years with oompah equipment, barrel taps, classic German cuisine and more, but COVID-19 has brought a social distance and organizational length limits that mean giant events with thousands of participants accumulated. are allowed.
“It’s a themed weekend,” Vigil said in a phone interview last week. “There will be no street closures, no pots, no street vendors, no street sale. Instead, the center’s merchants piled up to organize this themed weekend. Thanks to COVID, we make many other adjustments and are artistic to perpetuate the traditions of our city. “
Instead of organizing an “event,” the hikers’ board is selling the use of a (Explore. destinationPanamaCity. com) that turns the concept of a “pub” excursion into more than a dozen businesses, galleries, downtown restaurants and, yes, pubs. – In a game Please note that individual sites may have limited seats depending on their overall duration and occupancy.
More: Oktoberfest returns to Panama City
Sign up for the site and use the site plan to locate attractive institutions and sign at the time of the occasion. Anyone who registers on at least 10 of the sites will register for the prizes.
The big prize is a two-ticket game for Gulf Coast Jam, worth around $400, Vigil said. Other prizes will be awarded through the sites.
“This year things will be a little different, but I love that other people come with their most productive Oktoberfest outfits over the weekend and participate in the bar tour, drum tapping, component food, live music and juglifting competition,” a Destination Panama City Facebook post said.
Visitors and consumers are encouraged to wear Oktoberfest costumes and post photos on their social media with the hashtag . explorepc. Vigil said a prize will be awarded to costumes based on those who use the hashtag for percentage of their photos.
“It’s a smart opportunity to combine and see others, maybe to greet others, and soften their day a little bit,” Vigil said. “And there are so many new things in the city center, I feel like other people don’t realize what to see and do. “
The “no event” begins at five o’clock in the afternoon. Friday, September 2 at five and continue until 10 p. m. Saturday, September 26th. The event’s online page will include a list of what the venue does, such as holding barrels, jar-lifting contests, live music, meals and specialty drinks, and other surprises.
Participating visitors come with Panama City Destination and Panama City Historic Center, as well as the following locations: Funky Mermaid Lounge and Oyster Bar, 448 Harrison Ave. ; History Class Brewing Co. , 6 E. Fourth St. ; Henry’s House, 461 Harrison Avenue; Millies, 228 Harrison Avenue; and The Place Downtown, 429 Harrison Ave.
“The good thing is that they are the small businesses we support” with this non-event, Vigil said. “This year, we’re proposing something different, and all corporations are coming together.