The 2024 Clarktoberfest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, from noon to 6 p.m. in downtown Clarkdale between N. 9th Street and N. 11th Street. Last year’s event drew between 2,000 and 2,500 attendees.
“It’s a celebration of the fall and for people to get to know what’s going on in downtown Clarkdale,” said Clarkdale Mayor Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer, a member of the Clarkdale Downtown Business Alliance. “We started it 10 years ago to showcase what our town is all about, and it’s put on by all the businesses that are in the downtown area, as well as those who support businesses throughout Clarkdale.”
A cornhole tournament will be held for the third year; previous years’ events have seen between 20 and 30 teams participate. Registration is $50 and will begin at noon, followed by a double elimination contest at 1 p.m. “Given the weather, it might be a little bit warm, but we always have a good time,” Prud’homme-Bauer said. “There’s plenty of food and drink that are available, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and lots of good food offerings. We have around seven or eight food vendors going to be there, as well as several breweries and some of the local wines.”
Two free concerts will take place with a stage setup on the north side of the intersection of 10th Street and Main Street. What’s the Big Idea will be playing from noon to 2:30 p.m. and an appearance by the rock band Menagerie will follow.
“We’re [a] classic rock band and we do a big variety [of covers] from Janis Joplin to the Pretenders, Sting and Lynyrd Skynyrd and just a bunch of cool stuff,” Menagerie lead guitarist Dale Caddell said. “Menagerie is actually the band Toucan Eddy with Suzie Schomaker added. Toucan Eddy does original songs, but with Menagerie setup, we really just do covers.”
This year’s Clarktoberfest will include stein-holding and keg stacking events. Competitors can sign up the day of the event at the band stage and event winners will receive gift cards to a local brewery. Prud’homme-Bauer said that she hasn’t been practicing for the keg stacking competition, but will be seen helping pick up litter during the event. She encouraged parents to have their kids join the cornhole tournament.
“We’re located right next to the park, so you can bring your kids,” Prud’homme-Bauer said. “They can play on the playground equipment and in the park and get good food, they can go and visit our Clarkdale Museum. They can go in and out of the shops. All the businesses will be open that day.” Parking will be available throughout downtown Clarkdale.
“You might have to walk a couple of blocks,” Prud’homme-Bauer said. “But it’s okay … you’ll get to see some of our historic homes. So you get to see more than just the event itself. That’s why we center it right in downtown Clarkdale.” For more information, visit clarktoberfestaz.com or contact info@clarktoberfestaz.com.
