Can’t wait until October to get your German beer and culture fix? Then head on down to the 2012 Cleveland Oktoberfest on Labor Day weekend. Running Aug. 31 through Sept. 3, the festival is considered Northeast Ohio’s largest annual outdoor fest of its kind. All things German will be in full swing for four days of authentic food, beer and entertainment. German foodies like Der Braumeister, Schmidt’s of Columbus, Seven Roses, Heini’s Cheese Chalet, Michael’s Bakery, Frank’s Bratwurst of the West Side Market, and Balaton (named Best Hungarian Restaurant by Cleveland Scene) will once again be on hand, while Hot Sauce Williams, The Happy Dog and Asian Grill will also join in on the fun this year. Since its revival in 2005, Cleveland Oktoberfest has grown immensely, now with more than 40,000 guests in attendance each year. Big names in the beer world like Goose Island and Gordon Biersch will go head to head with locals Great Lakes, Brew Kettle, Fat Head’s, Market Garden, Willoughby Brewing, Thirsty Dog, Black Box, Rocky River, Cornerstone and Main Street Grille in the Best Oktoberfest Microbrew Competition. If microbrews are not your thing, big guns like Hoffbrau Light, Hoffbrau Original, Hoffbräu Oktoberfest, Warsteiner Pilsner, Warsteiner Dunkel, Warsteiner Oktoberfest, Bud Light and Budweiser will be on hand to quench your thirst. Don’t forget, there’s fare the kids can enjoy as well. The festival will have a large variety of festival staples like pizza, french fries, corn dogs, gyros, frozen custard and funnel cakes, so bring the children along for a fun-filled day. Parking is on the house, while admission is only $10 for adults and free for children under 12. The festival will run Friday, Aug. 31 from 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday and Sunday from noon to midnight and Labor Day Monday from noon to 9 p.m. The Cleveland Oktoberfest will take place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds located at 164 Eastland Road in Berea, Ohio.