OKTOBERFEST

What is Oktoberfest ?

It is one of the most famous festivals and the largest in all of Germany. It is held in Munich, Germany. Thousands upon thousands of people from all over Germany and the world.

In 1810, the Crown Prince of Bavaria married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hilburghausen. The Prince was so happy about his marriage that he invited everyone in the kingdom to his wedding party. More than 40,000 people attended. The wedding event was such a success that the people of Munich decided to do it again every year.

In the following years, the horse race was combined with the state agricultural fair, and booths serving food and drinks were introduced. By the 20Th century these booths have developed into large beer halls.

Where was it held?

The fairground for Oktoberfest has always been held at Therese’s Meadow, named after Princess Therese and is still held there to this day.

When is Oktoberfest?


It is usually the 3rd Sunday in September. It runs for sixteen days through early October. This year it will be the 179th Oktoberfest and starts on September 19 through October 4th

The Fairground

The fairground is a huge, open meadow, but during Oktoberfest it is covered with tents that can hold thousands of people. A big carnival is set up outside the tents.

The Carnival

The entrance to the fairgrounds is surrounded by carnival rides. There’s a gigantic roller coaster in the shape of a figure eight, shooting ranges, giant swings, and a big wheel.

How it all begins…

On the first Sunday of Oktoberfest there is a grand parade with horse drawn carts, floats, and hundreds of people wearing traditional Bavarian clothing

In the Schnottenhamel tent holds the opening ceremonies. At noontime, the lord mayor of Munich will have the honor of tapping the first keg of Oktoberfest beer.

What are the hours?

• Beer Serving Hours: Weekdays:10am-10:30pm Weekends and Holidays:9am-10:30pm
• Sales Booth (souvenirs, cigarettes, etc.) Mon.-Thurs.- 10am-11:30pm Fri.- 10am- 12am Sat.- 9am-12am Sun. and Holidays-9am- 11:30pm

TENTS FIXED !!!
Hippodrom
Armbrustschützenzelt
Hofbräu Festzelt
Hacker-Festzelt
Schottenhamel
Winzerer Fähndl
Schützen-Festzelt

Tent Reservations


Reserve seats in tents ahead of time for larger parties
Most people don’t usually need reservation but most tents are usually booked on the weekends and weekday nights

Beer vouchers in tents

Food ....


Wurst or sausage with mustard

Oxen tails

Roasted Chicken- usually served a half

Potatoes dumplings with red cabbage
Pretzels

Rolls

Beer...


Amber- gold lager, robust at 5.2 to 6% alcohol by volume, bottom fermented and lagered for a least a month, with pronounced malt flavors from Vienna malts, usually accented by the German noble hops.

Cost of Beer...

The price of beer expected for Oktoberfest 2015 is 9.80 to 12.30 Euros per liter, varying on the beer tent.

Last year, the price of beer was 7.30 to 7.90 Euros per liter.

Popular Breweries

• Augustiner
• Hacker-Pschorr
• Paulaner
• They are all brewed or bottled within the city units of Munich

Men Oktoberfest clothing


Leather trousers, knee breeches
Usually made from elk, goat, calf, or pig hide

They are usually braided or embroider with monograms, designs, or edelweiss, hunting or peasant motifs.

Women Oktoberfest clothing

Dirndl
A dress from 18th century

Top is usually a white, peasant top

Tight bodice

Flowly skirt, dress

Usually checkered apron
Depending on the person the skirt’s length or lace on the shirt

Music

Traditional Folk Music
Folk, marches, polkas
Brass

Disco

Rock n’ roll

Drinking songs

Famous Oktoberfest music

Fetzentaler

Simmisamma

Unterbrunner Blasmusik
Plattlinger Isarspatzen
Cagey Strings Rock’n’Roll Band

Souvenirs

Beer mugs

Beer stein

Beer boot glasses

Bottle caps

Clothes

Aprons

Transportation…

It is highly recommended not to go directly to Oktoberfest in your own car.
Park and Ride

MVV subways

Taxi

Train

Lodging

Camping outside of Munich, usually booked, cheap, young people

Hotels

All hotels and camping are a lot cheaper outside of Munich than right in the city.

Also, one should make reservations at the latest in late spring, early summer for a room during Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest in the US

There are many “Oktoberfests” in the US that try to simulate the way in Munich.
Some that are close are:

Newport, RI

Dover, NJ

Philadelphia, PA

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