It’s that time of year again — Freaktober!
A German-style fall beer party with a wicked Coney Island twist is coming to the spacious beer garden of Greenwood Park in Greenwood Heights.
The original idea for the five-hour debauch of unlimited beer-tasting, burlesque dancers, indie bands, and good old-fashioned freaks was born out of the brain of Jeremy Cowan, the man behind He’Brew beer and Coney Island lager, who brewed up the first Freaktoberfest in 2007 at Dick Zigun’s Sideshows by the Seashore.
“They asked if we wanted to work together, and we jumped at the chance,” Cowan said.
“We wanted to have a beer festival that combined our favorite things about craft lager with outrageous performers and great bands.”
The alcohol-fueled weirdo rager was such a success, Cowan decided to do it again — and again, and again, and again. This year, he picked the new Greenwood Park beer garden after falling elbows-over-knees for location’s large space.
“They’ve got a great design, a great vibe. The bar is spectacular and the outdoor space is incredible,” Cowan said. “And they’re in a neighborhood that’s been extremely supportive of craft beer.”
And even though the event has moved away from its Coney Island venue, the Freaktoberfest’s master of ceremonies will be the ever-popular freak performer Donny Vomit — the face of one of brewmaster Cowan’s specialty beers, and a “human blockhead action hero,” in his words.
Besides driving a six-inch nail into his nasal cavity, Vomit will oversee the array of sideshow acts featured at the festivity.
“Every year I try to bring interesting performer friends of the beautiful and bizarre to entertain the beer-loving crowds,” Vomit said, promising two lovely lady dancers, a juggler, and an appearance by Evil Hate Monkey, on top of a display of his own talents.
The bizarre beer fest will also showcase numerous native New York libations, including special creations from Brooklyn Brewery, Six Point, and Kelso — plus entries from Dogfish and Victory breweries.
Freaktoberfest at Greenwood Park (555 Seventh Ave. at 19th Street, in Greenwood Heights, freaktoberfest.eventbrite.com). Sept. 15, 12–5 pm. $60.
