UPtoberfest turns 20
Attendees of last year's UPtoberfest at Ludington Park get beer and swag from the Founders tent on Oct. 12, 2025. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Andy Bunch, formerly of Escanaba and now of Marinette, accepts a beer sample from Marquette-based Ore Dock Brewing at a past UPtoberfest. (Daily Press file)
Attendees of last year's UPtoberfest at Ludington Park get beer and swag from the Founders tent on Oct. 12, 2025. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Andy Bunch, formerly of Escanaba and now of Marinette, accepts a beer sample from Marquette-based Ore Dock Brewing at a past UPtoberfest. (Daily Press file)
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ESCANABA -- Craft beer drinkers and others are looking forward to attending UPtoberfest on Saturday as the event comes to Escanaba for the 20th year.
At the core of the annual event is a German tradition also practiced by Yoopers — enjoying beer. At UPtoberfest 2026, dozens of beers, wines, meads and ciders will be poured for attendees.
Local band ToHuBoHu will perfrom live music.
Now, the autumn celebration of beer, mead and wine is organized by the Bay de Noc Brewers and United Way of Delta County and takes place at Ludington Park. When UPtoberfest began, it was held behind Hereford and Hops.
Tickets sales -- made through uptoberfest.org/tickets -- benefit the United Way, a nonprofit that conducts a number of programs to benefit childhood literacy in Delta County.
Designated drivers are offered reduced ticket price for water, soft drinks and coffee.
Included with admission is food is served by the Wells Lions Club. Bobaloon’s provided food in the past; the Lions have been in charge of eats the past couple years.
In some previous years, UPtoberfest tickets sold out not long after they were released. As of Thursday afternoon, some remained available.
Sponsors this year are Andex, Solberg’s Buck Inn, Bobaloon's, DS Tech, Elmer's County Market, UP State Credit Union and Upper Hand Brewery.