Oktoberfest at Atlas Park

Atlas Park, Queens' newest mall, hosts an Oktoberfest in early September. Sure, it's not October, but Oktoberfest comes early even in Bavaria. Atlas Park is in Glendale, on the Middle Village border, a quick run from Ridgewood, the three neighborhoods that were once Queens' German heartland.

Oktoberfest is also the name of the new restaurant at Atlas Park. It serves a traditional German menu, and will be supplying the bratwurst for the celebration, as well as the beer. Bauer's Bake Shop will be there with pretzels and more German baked goods. And the Atlas folks are bringing in a German folk dance group for performances throughout the day.

• Atlas Park Oktoberfest
• September 9 and 10, 2006, 1-6 p.m., free
• The Shops at Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Avenue, Glendale, NY
• Profile - Atlas Park Mall

• More - Octoberfest at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria