CINCINNATI — More than 700,000 people were expected to take part in Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest over the weekend.

What You Need To Know

  • Oktoberfest attracts more than 700,000 people annually

  • The event features food and drink celebrating Cincinnati's German heritage

  • This year, Tweedles Mini Donuts participated after campaigning for 11 years to get in

​Along with the traditional brat, pretzel and beer vendors was a newcomer that’s not exactly a part of German heritage: mini-donuts.

“This is an American thing,” said Bert Hasselfeld, one of several high school friends who started Tweedles Mini Donuts. He said their beginnings were at an event with music that’s pretty much the opposite of the chicken dance.

“It started back in the 80s at a Kiss concert,” he said. “ One of my best friends' dad who we called ‘Tweedle’ growing up saw this donut-making machine at a Kiss concert and then we opened up the business right out of high school."

They’ve built a successful business working at festivals, corporate events, weddings and other private parties, but ever since they opened, they’ve been on a quest to be on the menu at Oktoberfest.

“We’ve been doing this for 12 years, trying to get into Oktoberfest for 11 years,” Hasselfeld said.

“This is one of the biggest events in the country especially for Oktoberfest. It made sense for us to be here because we can serve fast and really well.”

They served up one dish inspired by a German favorite.

“Our German-themed dish is a Raspberry Berliner — and it tastes like a raspberry strudel,” He said.

They got some good reviews:

“They’re just all around really good and they taste exactly like a strudel,” said Bella Young, who was trying the mini donuts for the first time. “They’re light and airy and delicious."

Hasselfeld and his friends are already planning some more Oktoberfest-friendly flavors for next year.

“We’re thinking crumbled pretzels with caramel, maybe do some more different types of strudel and Bavarian cream, who knows — we’re going to get crazy for next year," Hasselfield said.

That’s a promise from the vendors who may just be the most excited to be here.

“It’s kinda surreal just because we’ve spent so long trying to get here.”