Attendees can expect a packed crowd at the third annual Clarktoberfest, Saturday, Oct. 1, from 2 to 9 p.m.
“Our first year, we had about 1,500 people come to the first Clarktoberfest, last year about 2,000, and we look forward to having even more this year — 2,500 — as we become an established event in the Verde Valley,” said event organizer Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer of Made in Clarkdale. “This year, we will have more activities for kids. All the wine-tasting businesses located in Clarkdale will at Clarktoberfest, and all of our restaurants, cafes and sandwich shops will be there, too.”
Started by businesses involved in the Clarkdale Downtown Business Alliance, Clarktoberfest was seen as a way to bring people to the historic downtown and into its businesses. Planning for the major event begins at the start of each year, with monthly meetings to hammer out the details such as arranging for bands, beer and wine vendors, developing marketing, organizing arts and craft and information vendors, soliciting funds from sponsors and recruiting volunteers.
“Our goal is to show people throughout the Verde Valley what diverse and interesting businesses we have in Clarkdale,” Prud’homme-Bauer stated. “So, the food vendors are located in Clarkdale, all of the wine-tasting vendors are from Clarkdale and many of the arts vendors are from Clarkdale …. The town of Clarkdale has been very supportive of this event and a good partner in assisting us in making sure this is a fun, family friendly, community-oriented event.”
According to Prud’homme-Bauer, the event is distinctive to the town because everything is handled by Clarkdale businesses and volunteers. “We don’t hire anyone to do it for us. It truly is a showcase of the businesses that make Clarkdale their home. It shows our commitment, our spirit, our enjoyment of being a part of Clarkdale.”
Asked whether the event will be sustainable, moving forward, Prud’homme-Bauer answered that she hopes so.
“It is important to continue to grow Clarkdale’s business profile and to show new people coming to the Verde Valley that Clarkdale is a good place not only to live and play, but to have a business,” Prud’homme-Bauer added. “It will be sustainable as long as the businesses and individuals involved in the Clarkdale Downtown Business Alliance see value to their businesses in having an event like Clarktoberfest.”
Clarktoberfest will include live music by PK Gregory, What’s the Big Idea and Keith Okie and friends. Craft beer from Wanderlust, Uncle Bear’s and Borderlands breweries, as well as a wine garden featuring all of the Clarkdale wineries will be featured.
For more information, contact madeinclarkdale2012@gmail.com, visit clarktoberfestaz.com or follow the event on Facebook at “Historic Downtown Clarkdale.”
