Justin Wroblewski, owner of Tin Man Sweets Bake Shoppe on Main Street in Evans City, shows cupcakes like the ones that will be featured in the cupcake eating contest during this year's Oktoberfest. Participants will have four minutes to peel and eat as many cupcakes as they can. The contest will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the stage across from the fire department on North Jackson Street.

EVANS CITY — In addition to the games, exhibits and activities, food is always part of the fun at each year's Oktoberfest.

Justin Wroblewski, owner of Tin Man Sweets Bake Shoppe on Main Street, last year began providing cupcakes for a cupcake eating contest.

Wroblewski explained that participants have four minutes to peel and eat as many cupcakes as they can.

The winner of the confection consuming contest gets to choose which of six nonprofit organizations in the borough will receive the cash raised in the event through registration fees.

He said last year, the $100 raised went to EDCO Park Authority, which oversees the town's pool and park.

Wroblewski said it takes about three hours to whip up the roughly 300 vanilla, chocolate and white cupcakes for the contest. The lucky audience members who observe the contest are the recipients of the uneaten cupcakes, Wroblewski said.

“The participants ate at least half of them last year,” he said.

The 2014 winner, Ray Collins, managed to munch 14 cupcakes in four minutes to ice his nine sticky competitors.

“I don't think anybody got sick,” Wroblewski said. “I couldn't do it.”

This year's contest will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the stage across from the fire department on North Jackson Street. Those interested in entering the contest can stop at the bake shoppe or sign up at www.tinmansweets.com.

“It's something fun, and it raises money for charity,” Wroblewski said.

Sports and Spirits, across the street from Tin Man Sweets, takes on a unique aroma each year on the Friday and Saturday of Oktoberfest.

For the past 15 years, owner Deb Collins has offered a special German menu in her bar and grill.

Eventgoers who want the true Germanic experience during Oktoberfest can chow down on Collins' homemade sauerbraten, bratwurst, knockwurst and German potato salad.

The truly brave diners can try Collins' limberger on rye.

“There's a lot of people who come in for that, especially the older people,” Collins said. “It smells awful.”

Collins picked up her German cooking skills from her grandmother Enslen, who was from Germany. She said it takes about 60 pounds of potatoes to make the German potato salad.

“It's hard work, but we enjoy doing it,” Collins said. “The satisfaction people get from it is probably the best thing.”

Deb Collins, owner of Sports and Spirits bar and restaurant on Main Street in Evans City, serves up a special German menu during Oktoberfest. Eventgoers who want the true Germanic experience during Oktoberfest can dine on Collins' homemade sauerbraten, bratwurst, knockwurst and German potato salad.