The Anderson Park District is celebrating a half-century of serving Anderson Township with a free Oktoberfest at Beech Acres Park on Saturday, Sept. 5, replacing the longtime Anderson Day festival that had drawn shrinking crowds in recent years.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 6910 Salem Road and will feature live music, local food vendors, craft beer from regional breweries, wiener dog races and German-style games. Admission is free.
The district announced the celebration Tuesday, billing it as a milestone marking 50 years of parks, programs and community service in Anderson Township.
From petition to 500 acres
The Anderson Hills Community Council first petitioned the Anderson Township Trustees to form a park district in 1970, according to the district's published history. Voters approved a founding referendum in 1975, operations began in 1976 and the first park, Nagel Park, was dedicated in 1978.
The district now operates nine parks covering more than 500 acres within the township's 31.2 square miles. It employs 18 full-time and 85 part-time staff and offers more than 50 classes, leagues, and programs year-round for preschool-age children through senior adults.
A 2024 impact study found Anderson parks bring approximately $4.3 million into the local economy from outside visitors.
Oktoberfest replaces Anderson Day
The shift from Anderson Day to Oktoberfest drew public discussion at the Anderson Township Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday.
"Anderson Day has been getting smaller each year and the Park District's new event, Oktoberfest, is going to continue," Trustee Chair Dee Stone said at that January meeting. "The decision was the Park District's decision to make, not the township's."
Trustee Tom Hodges said at the same meeting that he had heard concerns about losing the community-building event and pledged to ensure such opportunities remain available year-round.
Active year for the district
The anniversary comes during a busy stretch for the Park District. Voters approved a reduced 1.8-mill replacement operating levy in November 2025, securing continued funding after the previous 1.9-mill levy expires in November 2026. The Anderson Township Trustees unanimously proclaimed July as Parks & Community Spaces Month at their Thursday, June 25 meeting.
Capital projects funded by a two-year levy passed in November 2023 are moving forward in 2026, including a natural surface trail renovation at W.M. Johnson Hills Park, a new restroom and ADA improvements at Laverty Park, a bike park at Clear Creek, and completed all-weather ballfield infields at Riverside Park.
How to participate
The Oktoberfest is free and open to the public on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Beech Acres Park, 6910 Salem Road. The Board of Park Commissioners meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Juilfs Park, 8249 Clough Pike. Meetings are open to the public. The district's main office can be reached at (513) 474-0003.
