Fantastic Festival
Enjoy a Family Friendly, Local Oktoberfest
By Amy Morgan
Prost, Stone Oak! Have you always hoped to attend an Oktoberfest event but were unwilling to brave the drive and the crowd in New Braunfels? This year, why not try something a little closer to home. City Council’s District 9 will host the second annual Classen-Steubingfest at one of San Antonio’s newest parks – conveniently located right in the heart of Stone Oak at 20240 Hardy Oak Blvd. The free event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 3-7 p.m., and includes live performances, kids’ activities and games like corn hole. Volunteers from the American Legion will grill free bratwurst and hotdogs. Sales of German beer and other concessions support the San Antonio Parks Foundation, and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels will bring a truck.
Last year more than 350 people attended the family-friendly German-themed event, according to D9’s Events Coordinator Meredith Kershaw, who planned the fest at the suggestion of City Councilman John Courage. “We wanted to do it bigger and better this year so everyone who comes out will get a taste of the newest park in the district,” she said. “It’s really a hidden gem.”
Three different groups of musicians will perform consecutively on the stage constructed in the large field directly across from the park’s covered pavilion that includes six permanent restrooms and water fountains. The Eurofest trio enlists an accordion to enliven its Polka renditions. The Hot Peppers are a popular Wurstfest regular. Fire on the Mountain Cloggers will regale the audience with a performance by a select assembly of their talented troupe.
Kids will enjoy a bounce house, face painting and balloon animal art. Parking for the event is limited, but overflow spots are available at nearby Las Lomas Elementary School.
Classen-Steubing Ranch Park opened in May of 2023, making it one of the newest in the city. $9.15 million for Classen-Steubing was part of the $187 million dedicated in the 2017 bond project.
The Classen-Steubingfest pays tribute to the German heritage of the family who once owned as much as 40,000 acres spread across far North San Antonio – including Hollywood Park and Stone Oak all the way east to Nacogdoches Road. Original immigrant Johan Huber Classen and his wife came to the area from Prussia, Germany, landing at the Port of Galveston in 1857. Family descendants still reside in Bexar County and several own original Classen lands where they continue to maintain farming and ranching activities. Long-time Stone Oak residents can remember cows from the ranch that once peeked over the fence along the Highway 281 access road.
Classen-Steubing Ranch Park itself occupies close to 40 acres but abuts 164 acres of conservation easement, so the total 204 acres of natural area seems spacious. It includes five muti-use sports fields, close to a mile of paved walking/biking trails and another mile of off-road hiking trails.
A wide, paved approximately .25-mile track circles the three upper fields configured for baseball/softball that are planted with lush grass. The paved loop continues north with scenic views of the Stone Oak greenspace to add another .5 miles. Both paths are landscaped with native plants that complement existing foliage. Two horizontal fields ideal for soccer and restrooms lie at the front entrance to the park.
The park hopes to soon complete and open Mitchell’s Landing, the first completely accessible and inclusive playground in the city. The pirate-themed playground has been funded by the founders of local nonprofit Mitchell Chang foundation in memory of their son.
So, skip the drive and the hassle. Celebrate the season and check out your neighborhood park.
