Outside the tent

Not all of the Oktoberfest action takes place at the fairgrounds tent.

"We're enormously busy," reported Patty Gorman of Dude's Steakhouse. "People meet here--they have for years."

Restaurants and bars in Sidney experience the annual festival as a series of ups and downs. People may grab a cup of coffee in Grandma Joe's or the Coffee Corner before and after the parade, for example.

Weather plays a factor, as well. When a snowstorm cancelled last year's parade, participants either remained at home or huddled out at the fairgrounds.

"We were slow on Saturday," said Rene Merryfield of Sam & Louie's. "But that was a different story."

According to Sidney City Manager Gary Person, October ranks as one of the best months for sales tax receipts. Oktoberfest crowds spill over into downtown, spending money in bars, restaurants and shops. The hotels generally fill with participants and former residents coming in from neighboring states.

While some of the weekend's events attract crowds to downtown or the park, Dude's may see more benefit from those gathering at the fairgrounds. Former residents returning for the festivities plan to meet at the venerable steakhouse before heading over to the beer tents. Others come and go throughout the day.

Some participants in Rod and Roll have used the booths at Dude's as a rest stop for the past 30 years.

"When it's cold, the people come over here to warm up. When it's hot, they come here to cool down. We get to see a lot of people," Gorman said.

On the down side, few restaurant staff members see much of Oktoberfest itself.

"We get to hear about it," Gorman said with a laugh. "It's very entertaining."