Yesterday, the Medford Chamber of Commerce hosted one of the most well-attended events of the year—Oktoberfest. Whether you came for the food, the trinkets, or the festive atmosphere, this event truly had it all. The weather was spectacular—unseasonably warm and sunny for fall—which only added to the day’s success. More than just a celebration, Oktoberfest offered a chance to connect with local residents and business owners alike.

Our “man on the street” attended this year’s festivities as a curious resident rather than a reporter. So while this isn’t a full review, consider it a reconnaissance mission for next year, when the Medford Happenings crew plans to cover the event in full. One thing is certain: of all the events held in the city, this was the best attended.

First Stop: Gotta Know Medford

We kicked things off by visiting the Gotta Know Medford table and had the pleasure of meeting Nell Coakley, Chris Stevens, and Wendall Waters in person. While city gadfly John Petrella has already made their acquaintance, the rest of our crew had not. With so much happening in Medford, their mission to provide local news is more vital than ever. Since the Medford Transcript folded years ago, the city has lacked a dedicated news source. These women have picked up the torch and are running with it—especially important in an election year. Please support their work: Gotta Know Medford

Local Vendors and Familiar Faces

The Medford Happenings crew made a stop at the Medford Soap Company booth and picked up some handmade soap: Medford Soap Company. We also ran into Patrick Clerkin, who’s campaigning for a city council seat this November 4. Also in attendance was city council hopeful Melanie Tringali. Rumored to be in attendance were John Intoppa and Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, though we didn’t get a chance to speak with either.

Page Buldini was, as always, present with her kids. It’s great to see her continuing to engage with the community. Though her bid for city council didn’t pan out, she remains resilient and forward-thinking. As a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and a local business owner, she continues to serve Medford well: Page Aesthetics

Spotlight on Local Entrepreneurs

Also in attendance was Allison Goldsberry, a former writer for the Medford Transcript and now the founder of a health and fitness company geared toward women over 40. We hope to feature her soon to discuss her approach to wellness: Heart, Soul & Strength Wellness

Community Pillars

Celia Lee was manning the table for Arts Collaborative Medford (ACM): Arts Collab Medford. Celia is a tireless contributor to the city, serving on the ACM board and volunteering with the Friends of the Medford Public Library. She’s a fixture at nearly every major city event—and a joy to speak with. She might even share a few sewing tips if you ask!

Looking Ahead

Unfortunately, the Medford Happenings crew was double-booked this week and couldn’t provide the full coverage this event deserved. That will change next year. In the meantime, we’ll be speaking with Laura O’Neill from the Chamber of Commerce in the coming days. Stay tuned!