Rock City's German heritage comes alive with music from The Wurstbrats, The Musik Meisters and The Best Wurst Band, as well as dance performances and polka lessons for guests. Take a guided tour of the gardens during peak fall foliage at 9 a.m., noon or 3 p.m. and learn about the attraction's founder, Frieda Utermoehlen Carter, and her love of German folklore and fairytales.
Stop by the pavilion for specialty German food like grilled bratwursts, sauerkraut, beer cheese soup, or dine at Café 7 and have some Weiner Schnitzel or apple crisp with Clumpies vanilla ice cream.
Rocktoberfest hosts one-of-a-kind characters to meet along the way including the fall fairy, Ik the Troll King, a mime and Rocky the Elf. Kids also receive an adventure passport from a scarecrow upon entering the park; the passport features activities, coupons and pages for children to collect stamps during their visits throughout the year.
A must-see at the festival are Birds of Prey Shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Other special offerings include pumpkin painting, interactive caricatures and geode digs. This event has been selected as a Top 20 Event for 2018 by Southeast Tourism Society. Find out more at www.seerockcity.com/rocktoberfest.
In addition, Rock City has an ongoing partnership with the MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Foundation honoring breast cancer awareness month during October. Several "survivor" products including new mini pink birdhouse ornaments are for sale, with a portion of proceeds benefiting this organization's scholarship program and MEL's Club. Learn more about that at www.seerockcity.com/survivor.