From Festivals to Excellent Home Options
By David King
There is nothing like the coming change of the season to inspire our favorite fall festival, Oktoberfest.
There are several ways to celebrate this lively occasion. In Contra Costa County, we have three promising Oktoberfest events to enjoy, all on different dates. Why not explore all three?
Walnut Creek Oktoberfest is on September 27 & 28 at Civic Park East. This two-day event, like most, will include live entertainment, music, dancing, gourmet food and dozens of artisan vendors, arts & crafts, a biergarten with dozens of craft beers, wine, international music, and a Kinder Platz Kids Zone.
Crockett Oktoberfest – Sunday, October 13. This is Crockett’s 3rd Annual Oktoberfest held at 628 2nd Ave. It is free to attend and offers plenty of unique activities such as axe throwing and a live yodeling contest. Don’t forget about the food: Brezen (Pretzels), Würstl (Sausages), Maypole Dance, German Beer & Wine and of course live music and Polka.
Clayton Oktoberfest comes October 5 & 6. It is the most popular and largest of the three Oktoberfests, boasting more visitors (16,000) than Clayton has residents. It features biergarten, Oompah band, live music by The Internationals, authentic German foods, arts and craft, polka dancing, and carnival rides and games for kids. Every effort is made to immerse yourself in Bavarian culture.
There are also options to enjoy an Oktoberfest inspired party at home.
Little Poland European Grocery for Authentic Foods
Maybe you don’t like crowds. Then bring Oktoberfest into your home. Popular among our local European immigrants is a small grocer at 1984 Monument Blvd. in Concord, called Little Poland.
Owner Jacob Gruzynski was well aware of this Concord store offeirng Polish foods at a time when he lived in Livermore. At that time, it was called Ted’s Delicatessen. Gruzynski eventually moved to Concord, bought the store, and changed the name to Little Poland, honoring his native country.
That was in 2017. Little Poland is a specialty store which he says there are only two like it in the Bay Area. “There is a large segment of first- and second-generation immigrants who still prefer the products from the Old County, including beer and wine,” according to Gruzynski.
Virtually all the products sold at Little Poland are imported from the old world through family heritage companies that distribute foods from Russia, Lithuania, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Germany and others.
“Groups from various countries in Europe do not like American foods such as American mayonnaise or ketchup,” Gruzynski says. “American sausages and hams are full of water and preservatives. You can find some organics at stores but will pay $30 or more per pound. It’s way different than the foods you get here in the States. Our sausages are better than anywhere else.”
I called him on that and it’s true. The grillin’ sausages have a much better snap with each bite. The seasonings embedded are much more vibrant. The texture seems more compact. They are indeed, delicious.
The point is, try out this quaint import grocer and get sone Old Country meats and other products if you are going to truly experience some Oktoberfest cuisine at home.
And don’t’ forget the treats. Local bakeries also get in the spirit. Concord’s Alpine Bakery offers themed cookies, pretzels, black forest cakes, beehives, strudel, Bavarian crème puffs.
If you really wish to get in the Oktoberfest spirit, go authentic. Try your local European imported food store and bakery.
