This morning, while pouring coffee from my tumbler, I suddenly looked at the calendar. The second weekend of October is the Columbus Day holiday.

During that weekend, the Lake George Village Oktoberfest will take place. This year marks the 15th edition, running from Friday, October 9, to Sunday, October 11.

Normally, I would just grab a cup of coffee and stroll around the local cafes during the holiday. But this year, I thought I might head towards the beer-scented streets, so I put together some information.

First off, getting there is easy. You can take I-87 Northway northbound and exit at Exit 21, which leads directly to Lake George Village.

The distance is about 60 miles, and if there's no traffic, it should take around an hour. However, since it's peak fall foliage season during the holiday, it's best not to expect the Northway to be clear like usual.

The event location is across from Shepard Park on Canada Street. They close off the main street along the lakeside for the festival.

Operating hours are from noon to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, it starts at noon and ends at 5 PM, so it's better to arrive early on the last day.

There is no admission fee. You can just walk in and pay for what you eat and drink, which is quite convenient.

The event will proceed even if it rains. There's a large tent area, so there will be places to stay dry in case of bad weather.

One important thing to note is that the festival guide states that food and beer are cash only.

While there is an ATM on-site, it's better to bring cash in advance considering the fees. It's a bit inconvenient to deal with cash in an age where everything can be paid with a card.

Beer will be served from the Adirondack Brewery beer garden. According to the guide, they will have five types of brewery beer, along with wine and hard lemonade.

The food will focus on German sausages. The basic lineup includes bratwurst, knackwurst, weisswurst, and potato pancakes.

Menus like schnitzel and turkey legs will also be available. You'll quickly fill up as you wait in line to buy one at a time.

In fact, the highlight of this festival is Saturday. There will be a Masskrugstemmen competition, where participants hold a beer stein with outstretched arms, and a keg toss competition divided by gender.

Following that, there's a ceremony to tap the keg with the shout of "O'zapft is!" This scene brings the opening tradition of Munich's Oktoberfest, making it worth seeing at least once.

The exact start time for the competitions wasn't listed on the official page. If you plan to go on Saturday afternoon, it's a good idea to check the event page again before you leave.

Music will be playing continuously. There will be five live bands, polka music, and a separate stage for traditional German dance performances.

Families bringing children won't have to worry. Rides and craft activities will be available throughout the weekend, and lawn games like pumpkin painting, cornhole, and giant Jenga are free.

Well-behaved dogs on leashes are also allowed. It's a nice option for a fall lakeside walk with your dog.

Here's how to handle parking. Canada Street will be closed to traffic throughout the festival, so the parking lots at Biscotti Brothers and High Peaks Distilling at 1 Canada Street will be open for free.

Street parking in nearby alleys is also free. However, finding a spot on Saturday afternoon might be challenging, so arriving before noon is recommended.

There's another event that can be confusing. The Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party will also take place in the same area, but that's on Saturday, October 17.

This event is a paid event for those 21 and older only. Tickets are $55 for pre-purchase and $60 on the day, with designated driver tickets at $15.

The ticket includes a sampler glass, a $15 food voucher, and unlimited tastings of beer, cider, and wine. Proceeds will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks.

So, remember that from October 9 to 11, it's a free street festival, and on the 17th, it's an adult-only paid tasting event. You don't want to mix up the dates and end up going to the wrong event.

We should also touch on driving. Since the return trip takes about an hour, it's essential to decide who will be driving in advance.

I would plan to leave Saturday morning and arrive around lunchtime. I'd grab a sausage, watch the competitions, and take a walk along the lakeside before sunset.

On the way back, instead of coffee from a rest stop, I plan to bring a bottle of my own brewed coffee. A cup of bright coffee should nicely balance out the salty sausage.

While a city cafe tour is nice, I find myself missing these lively streets in the fall. This year, I've decided to raise a beer glass instead of a coffee cup during the holiday.