Bok Tower Garden’s Boktoberfest and Plant Sale is taking place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. If you’ve never visited the lush garden and estate it is well worth the hour-plus drive west especially since the festival’s appeal will span every age group.
Bok Tower Garden is a charming 250-acre preserve built 87 years ago by Edward Bok, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, editor and humanitarian who was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to America at age 6. He presented the garden and Singing Tower to the people of America in 1929 as homage to his grandmother’s philosophy to “make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you lived in it.” The garden has indeed fulfilled that legacy.
It is currently Florida’s gardening season so 45 plant vendors and experts will help add extra green to your thumb and the party animal in you will appreciate the Oktoberfest aspect. Dance a Schuplattler to the German band; sample mugs of craft beers and enjoy traditional German foods as the kids hit the activity area, visit the petting zoo or climb a tree. Most enchanting is the Tower’s daily 60-bell carillon played at 1 and 3 p.m. daily which really should be experienced at least once. The garden is undergoing a major $12 million expansion right now and the behind-the-scenes rejuvenation by renowned landscape architect Thomas Woltz is fascinating to see.
Bok Tower sits 298 feet above sea level on Iron Mountain although the word mountain is generous as Florida’s topographical standards go. Travelers are able to see the Tower from miles away so it has become a landmark in the center of the state and is considered one of Florida’s key point attractions. Boktoberfest will be held Oct. 17 & 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is at a price everyone will appreciate—totally free. One final tip: Check out the amaryllis bulb booth.)
If plants aren’t your thing but you still like a good fall festival, check out the Oktoberfest & Music Jam at the Indian River County Fairgrounds Oct. 24. Five bands will burn up the stage especially at the Bonfire Jam when the sun goes down and the flames kick up the fire factor. Jimmy & Eckhard’s Bavarian Jam opens the day with traditional German music followed by The Southernmost Band playing southern rock; JessLee offering a whole lot of country; Joe DaSilva & the Midnight Howl get you into a bluesy frame of mind and the night ends with the Natalie Reynolds Band playing a blues/country/southern rock combo platter.
A portion of sales will benefit Keep Indian River Beautiful (KIRB) so it’s a good-vibe rationale to support the event by slathering good German mustard and kraut on your bratwurst and drinking a dark lager while feeling charitable.
Oktoberfest began in Munich, Germany , in 1810 as a huge annual 16-day Bavarian Volksfest or beerfest/traveling fun fair to celebrate the marriage of King Ludwig I of Munich (a mere crown prince at the time) and his bride, Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The festival took place in a meadow deemed Theresienwiese (Therese’s Meadow) and over the years locals have abbreviated the location as simply Wies’n.
Alcohol plays a predominant role in most Oktoberfests but traditionally Bavarian rules require all beers to be brewed within Munich to be served at the authentic Munich Oktoberfest which sells approximately two million gallons each year. The Indian River counterpart has Americanized its festival and will offer light and dark imported beers as well as domestic brews but there will be plenty to eat and drink for the under-21 set as well.
What better way to honor women during Breast Cancer Awareness Month than to go to an all-female Girls Night In at Plaza Live in Orlando Oct. 18. These six 20-something online vloggers have each garnered millions of followers to their individual YouTube accounts and share their style and fashion advice, musical talents and hot topic humor with the audience. Yes, it may seem crazy but they are now all considered “stars” of the online world mostly because their video chats connect with their fans in a very real way. The intimacy of their at-home posts and live chats with fans has transformed them into the girls-next-door rather than lofty constellations.
Alisha Marie, Sierra Furtado, Mia Stammer, Andie Case, Meredith Foster and Eva Kutowski aka MyLifeAsEva chose 20 cities across the country to meet their followers and get personal sharing their individual talents with their fans. Fashion, style, DIY disasters and triumphs and lifestyle hacks mesh seamlessly with threads of comedy, music and interactive discourse. Plaza Live is central Florida’s third-largest seated entertainment venue. It is a former movie theater and now has one of the most connected audio visual stages around but at an intimate 1,200-seat capacity. The show is live but there will be lots of A/V aides to entertain and help the YouTube sensations out.
Back to Vero happenings, McKee Botanical Garden is kicking off its Fall/Winter Class Series with a hands-on workshop by Lori Young of Sweet Creations. Young will be teaching students to use their creativity to decorate cakes for holidays, special events and occasions using the knowledge to impress guests with their talents. Learn the art of frosting using molds, decorating tools and fondant – the Cake Boss’ best friend. Be sure to pre-register because more often than not, the classes fill up quickly, especially the ones which allow you to create something as delicious as it is beautiful.
