Livingston's Second Annual Oktoberfest & Family Fun Day has a new date after heavy rain washed out the original plan.

The Kiwanis Club of Livingston rescheduled the festival to Sunday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Livingston Oval, as first reported by the West Essex Tribune. The event had been set for Oct. 11.

Livingston Councilman Michael Vieira, who chairs the Kiwanis Oktoberfest Committee, said the inaugural festival drew several thousand people and organizers expect a bigger crowd this time around. "For the second year in a row, Mother Nature has had other plans for our original Oktoberfest date," Vieira said.

Admission is a requested $5 donation per person. Children under age 2 get in free. An ATM will be on-site.

What to expect

The full lineup carries over from the original date. Two bands, Punch the Monkey and Event Horizon, will play throughout the afternoon. Food trucks and the Kiwanis' funnel cake stand will be serving, alongside an Oktoberfest beer and food garden.

For kids, the grounds will include inflatable bouncy houses, a petting zoo, a trackless train, face painting, Touch-a-Truck and a scavenger hunt. The first 1,000 children under age 10 will receive a free pumpkin to paint and take home at the Pumpkin Painting Tent. A pumpkin patch will also have pumpkins and gourds for sale.

Adults and children can compete in Oktoberfest games, with trophies for winners.

Hot-air balloon rides return

Hot-air balloon rides, sponsored by the Livingston Police Department's Community Policing Unit, are back after the balloon's planned appearance at the Livingston Community Block Party was also canceled due to weather. Balloon ride tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. at the event. Rides are a separate cost from general admission and depend on weather and wind conditions. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to a community charity chosen by the police department, according to Patch.

Proceeds support local organizations

Money raised at Oktoberfest benefits the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, Livingston First Aid Squad and other local charitable groups. Vieira said the extra week also gives businesses and organizations more time to sign on as sponsors.

PIP Marketing, Signs, Print is the presenting sponsor.

For information, contact (973) 489-5090 or [email protected].

Upcoming: Livingston Kiwanis Second Annual Oktoberfest & Family Fun Day, Sunday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Livingston Oval. $5 suggested donation.