MAAC Foundation Invites Public to First-Ever MAACtoberfest Event
October 15, 2026
Valparaiso, Ind. (Oct. 14, 2026) – The MAAC Foundation, a state-of-the-art first responder training campus in Valparaiso, will host its first-ever MAACtoberfest on Oct. 17 from 12-7 p.m. and 18 from 12-5 p.m. Tickets are $5 for general admission, with proceeds benefiting the MAAC Foundation.
MAACtoberfest is a family-friendly event featuring live German music, German food and beer, along with local food favorites and domestic beer, root beer stand, raffles, and a stein-holding contest. Additional activities include a kids’ obstacle course, outdoor games, first responder demonstrations, a best-dressed lederhosen contest, touch-a-truck with emergency vehicles, and a helicopter landing both days.
“MAACtoberfest is an exciting new chapter for the MAAC Foundation. As a fundraiser, it gives our community a fun and unique way to support the mission of MAAC while experiencing firsthand the training and innovation that goes into preparing our first responders,” said MAAC Foundation President and CEO Nicole Gladstone.
The event will also feature first responders conducting live demonstrations including fire sprinkler burn, car fire, vehicle extrication, and K9 activities.
“Bringing the demonstrations into the event makes it more than an Oktoberfest celebration; it gives people an opportunity to see, learn, and connect with the work their support helps make possible. We’re excited to create a new tradition that brings people together while raising funds to advance the MAAC Foundation’s mission,” Gladstone added.
Guests can enjoy local food favorites like Ben’s Soft Pretzels, Crumbles- A Bake Shop, Byway Brewing Company, Lil’ Gridiron Grill and TJ’s Kettle Corn.
Attendees can also explore the MAAC campus and learn more about the facility's training programs. Raffle prizes include laser tag, a fire truck ride with MAAC Foundation founder Stewart McMillian, and a free MAAC class.
Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their best Oktoberfest attire and enjoy a weekend of food, entertainment, and family fun.
The MAAC Foundation is a nonprofit, state-of-the-art training campus dedicated to serving first responders by offering a realistic, hands-on approach to emergency services training. Since the MAAC was established in 2017, more than 650,000 training hours have been completed by first responders, and over 3,500 hours of community public safety classes have been hosted by the organization. The MAAC also hosts a volunteer firefighter academy, a career firefighter academy, a vocational firefighter academy for high schoolers, and an EMT academy. For more information, visit MAACFoundation.org.