Special Olympics Southern California invites you to a unique Oktoberfest experience this year at the 21st annual Pier del Sol fundraiser at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This Oktoberfest celebration will be like none other, one that fuses great food and amusement park experiences to benefit Special Olympics Southern California athletes.

Tickets for the event are on sale at www.sosc.org/pierdelsol. This is an exciting and unique day of fun on the historic Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park. At the only food & spirit festival fused with a backyard private amusement park experience, attendees will enjoy an exclusive VIP Brunch featuring mouthwatering tastings from some of L.A.’s top chefs and restaurants, complete with a beach top beer & wine garden, entertainment, music, arts & crafts, games, and unlimited rides.

“Pier del Sol is a family, fun day for the community, our Special Olympics athletes, and supporters of our movement,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “The funds raised help us serve more athletes, changing their lives, the lives of their families, and of the community.”

This year’s Honorary Chef is Gino Angelini, from one of the area’s hottest restaurants, Angelini Osteria. He has been a dedicated supporter and friend of Special Olympics Southern California for the past 14 years. The Pier del Sol honoree for 2017 will be Pacific Park CEO Mary Ann Powell. Honorary co-chairs of the event are Maria Shriver and Bobby Shriver.

“Special Olympics does incredible work. I respect that 89-percent of the money raised goes directly to provide activities for the athletes,” said Gino. “I am not an athlete, but being honored by Special Olympics is similar to winning an Olympic gold medal. I am very honored.”

Here is who is scheduled to bring tasty treats to your taste buds:

Angelini Osteria (with Pier del Sol honorary chef Gino Angelini)
BJs Restaurants (Chef David Vazquez)
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (Chef Kelly Bowers)
Clementine (Chef Annie Miller)
Dandy Don’s HomeMade Ice Cream (Chef Don Whittemore)
Dulan’s on Crenshaw Soul Food (Chef Greg Dulan)
El Cholo Los Angeles (Chef Gerardo Ochoa)
Four Stars Private Cuisine (Chef Alain Giraud)
Hache LA (Chef Michael Schepers)
Josette Bistro at Normandie (Chef Josette LeBlond)
Chef Kimmy Tang
LA Prime Restaurant / Westin Bonaventure Hotel (Chefs Joseph Mills & Carlos Bojorquez) 
Luxe Hotel (Chef Olivier Rousselle)
Manhattan House (Chef Juan Torres)
Mari / inside Intercontinental Hotel (Chefs Jonathan Wood & Shane Hosac)
Mariasol (Chef Antonio Centeno)
Melissa's Produce (Chef Tom Fraker)
Melisse and Charcoal Venice (Chef Josiah Citrin)
Mzuma Kitchen and Baklava House (Chef Mualla Bulut)
Pinks Hot Dogs (Chef Richard Pink)
Poke Shack (Chef Casey Parker)
Porta Via (Chef Peter Garland)
Providence and Connie & Ted's (Chef Michael Cimarusti)
Sprinkles (Chef Candace Nelson)
Tanino Ristorante Bar / Via Alloro (Chef Tanino Drago)
Terroni (Chef Stephen Murray)
Upper Crust (Chef Paulo Lopes)
Zapien's Salsa Grill (Chef Marco Zapien)
Wexler's Deli (Chef Micah Wexler)

The VIP Brunch ticket includes unlimited rides to Pacific Park and 12 game booth tickets. The special VIP Brunch will feature amazing food from L.A.’s top chefs and restaurants along with a beach top Beer & Wine Garden as part of this year’s theme, “Oktoberfest.”

Admission to the VIP Brunch is $175 per adult ticket and $75 for children (ages 5 to 12 - available at the door on the day of the event only). Children under five are free, but will not receive a meal/beverage coupon nor game tickets. General admission to the event is $75 per ticket and includes an unlimited ride wristband (valid all day after the event is over until the park closes), eight game booth tickets, and a meal/beverage coupon to be redeemed at the Pacific Park Food Plaza.

Presenting sponsors of this year’s event is Westfield, JAKKS Cares and Wells Fargo.

To purchase tickets, visit SOSC.org/PierDelSol.