The largest Oktoberfest festival on the continent (and the second-largest in the world) is upon us once again, and organizers are enthusiastic about not only mixing new features with old favorites but also expanding the beer barrels.

“We went through about 18,000 12-packs last year,” said Oktoberfest Zinzinnati public relations director Chris Kemper. “We hope to top that this year. We have more beers, 52, and more beer gardens. It’s going to be Okto-beer-fest.”

Each year, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati showcases a number of special events and attractions. New this year will be the Cincinnati.com Glockenspiel, which will ring in every single hour with local celebrities coming onstage to dance, toast and toss souvenirs to the crowd.

Kemper said the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, which puts on Oktoberfest each year, hasn’t yet (as of press deadline) worked out who will be leading the world’s largest Chicken Dance, a Zinzinnati and Cincinnati staple. Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Joe Morgan did the honors last year, and in previous years it has been former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, comedy actor Verne Troyer (aka Mini-Me in the “Austin Powers” movies) and, perhaps most improbably, Motley Crue rock star Vince Neil.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is also partnering with the Sam Adams brewing company to perform the Stein Hoist Heard Around the World, perhaps the largest stein hoist in beer-drinking history.

“Jim Koch (founder of Sam Adams) will be on Fountain Square,” Kemper said. “We’ll be working in conjunction with Oktoberfest events in Boston and Denver. When the time comes, we’ll simulcast the stein hoists from all three events.”

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is also looking forward to welcoming back competitive eater Joey Chestnut, who will once again be taking part in the Brat Eating Championships. Chestnut won his sixth straight title at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest this summer. A few weeks ago, he consumed 191 chicken wings in 12 minutes at the National Buffalo Wing Festival.

“Last year, he ate 35 brats in 10 minutes,” Kemper said. “The year before that, he ate 42. When I asked him what happened, he said, ‘I just never got into rhythm.’ ”

In the meantime, fest-goers can enjoy the new, downloadable Oktoberfest app for iPhone and Android and get warmed up at the Friday afternoon sneak peek by witnessing one of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati’s most popular events, the John Morrell Running of the Wieners, where 100 dachshunds will run 10 heats before competing in the final championship.

After that, the weekend belongs to eating and drinking with a half million of your neighbors.

“This is something the entire region rallies around to celebrate their heritage,” Kemper said. “To celebrate the time of year, the crisp evening air and Cincinnati itself. A party can pop up anywhere, at Fountain Square or the beer tent. People are coming from Atlanta, Buffalo, Tampa. It gives Cincinnati a chance to shine.”