Columbus Oktoberfest

04/08/2026

Today was supposed to be a celebration of your 44th birthday. Instead, we are planning a celebration of the life you lived, the joy you brought to others, the light that you were in this world. You were a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend. You didn’t know a stranger and you had the true gift of hospitality. You always made everyone feel welcome, loved, and cared for. You always welcomed people with a hug and left them with a smile on their face. You brought the gemütlichkeit to everything you did. You loved your family fiercely, were passionate about Schmidt’s, your friends, and your community involvement. You made an impact on everyone fortunate enough to have had you touch their lives and there is a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. Your light and love of life will live on through your beautiful family and the countless memories you created with friends, family, Schmidt’s, and the community. Matt, rest in peace knowing that you were loved by so many. May peace be with your soul and with us all, in your memory. Happy Birthday.

04/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1SnyB4k93k/
It breaks my heart to have to post this. Matt was a bright light that brought so much to the family, Schmidt's and the Columbus Oktoberfest. His legacy and light will shine on through his beautiful family.

09/08/2025

COLUMBUS 🤯what can we say?! You Oktoberfest-ed HARD this past weekend and we could not be more grateful! A special thanks goes out to all the employees, volunteers, vendors, musicians/performers, athletes, police, and anyone else who was involved in making Columbus Oktoberfest the best in the country! WIthout you, we could not pull it off. And a huge DANKE goes out to YOU! Festival goers, thank you for showing up, it really means the world to us. Until next year, PROST!

09/07/2025

Thank you!!!

09/07/2025

Excellent!!

09/06/2025

Prost!

This year’s Columbus Oktoberfest wall of Fame Inductee is no stranger to the Columbus Oktoberfest . Geoff Schmidt grew up participating with his family both hosting and sponsoring Oktoberfest. One of his favorite memories is of creating the games that were provided such as the nail pounding and finding pennies in the sawdust.

The Schmidt’s team always looked forward to working in the Oktoberfest stands because they knew he would go on a shopping spree and restock on smallwares and equipment – it was like Christmas in September!

In 2009 when the German Village Society decided to cancel the annual event Geoff along with his Schmidt’s team and a handful of other business decided that this wonderful event was too important to the community to lose.

Geoff spearheaded the move to the Ohio Expo Center and he along with his team pulled off a successful Columbus Oktoberfest with only 11 weeks to produce. He and Oktoberfest overcame a Big 10 home opener for the Buckeyes, 3 days that had some rain each day, and a location change.

The rest is history; we owe sitting here today enjoying what the Columbus Oktoberfest has become to Geoff and a simple “yes, let’s do it”! Danke Sehr!!!!!!

09/05/2025

🎉🍺 Opening Day is Here! 🍺🎉
The wait is over—Columbus Oktoberfest kicks off TODAY at the Ohio Expo Center! 🥨🍂

It's time to enjoy brats, bier, music, and more!

See you at 5pm today—let’s polka, eat, drink, and celebrate together! 🎶