OKTOBERFEST: A Treat for All Ages

October 20, 2009

Katja Kane-Foempe, Reporter  

Filed under Features

When you hear the word “Oktoberfest,” what immediately comes to mind?  Probably a picture of a giant beer party!  While it is true that beer is largely featured, Oktoberfest is much more than that.  It is a centuries old celebration, enjoyed by people of all ages and nations, which is based upon a historical event.

Oktoberfest began as the celebration of the wedding of King Ludwig I of Bavaria to Therese of Saxony-Hildburhausen in 1810.  The field where the celebration took place, and which in now the center of the city of Munich, is called the Theresienwiese after Therese.  The celebration was so successful that it became an annual event except for during years of war and various cholera epidemics.  Now, about six million people attend Oktoberfest every year with about 72 percent coming from Germany and the rest from around the world.

Although its name suggests that the “fest” begins in October, Oktoberfest actually runs from the last week of September through the first week of October.  This year, the 176^th Oktoberfest  took place from Sept. 19 through Oct. 4.  The fest officially begins when the Lord Mayor of Munich says “O’ zapft is!” (the barrel is tapped) along with a twelve gun salute at noon on the first day of Oktoberfest.  Thus begins 16 (sometimes 17 and 18 depending on how the dates fall with German Reunification Day) days of fun.

There are over 200 attractions at Oktoberfest.  There are rides such as the famous Olympia Looping  and the Krinoline (a huge old-fashioned merry go round).  There are variety shows and there are runway games.

The food is hearty, such as Brezn (soft pretzels), Riesn Brezn (GIANT soft pretzels), Wuerstl (sausages), Hendl (roast chicken), Steckerlfisch (spicey, grilled fish), and Haxn (roast pork knuckle).  Not exactly vegetarian-friendly but there is always Kartoffelsalat (potato salad) and Apfelstrudel (apple pastry) to fill up on.  And of course there is beer.

Another symobolic foods during Oktoberfest are lebkuchen hertzen (gingerbread hearts). They are small, medium or large gingerbread hearts with cute messages written in frosting for your significant other. They can be hung as decorations or if you can’t resist the mouthwatering smell, you may eat them.

Munich’s six major breweries are represented by 14 giant tents (Zelts) with a total seating capacity of about 100,000 people.  Once inside, it is hard not to become instant friends with those seated around you.  You may not speak the same language but a feeling of “Gemuetlichkeit” (acceptance, social belonging) prevails as you eat, drink, and listen to the Oompa music together. It is hard to accurately put Oktoberfest into words.  You really have to experience it for yourself.

As Germans emigrated to other countries Oktoberfest celebrations have spread throughout the world.  We even have one every year in downtown San Jose and in nearby Campbell.  So if you can’t travel to the one in Munich there is generally one not far away that you can enjoy.  It’s not the same scope and feeling as in Munich, but fun all the same.

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Tags: Oktoberfest, San Jose