2803

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest Doesn't Disappoint, But Show Up Early

Article by: © Matt Johanson 2012

MUNICH - Imagine six million liters of beer, enough to fill a small lake or pour a glass for every man, woman and child in Germany.

Add a few thousand traditionally-clad, voluptuous Bavarian waitresses carrying up to 22 liters of beer at a time, the equivalent of 66 12-ounce bottles.

Picture dozens of 20-piece bands playing party tunes from classic "Oom, pah, pah" waltzes to the Rolling Stones.

And in the name of Princess Therese, don't forget the 6.7 million visitors packing the seven massive beer halls, singing and dancing and spilling over to the carnival grounds outside.

Welcome to Munich's legendary Oktoberfest, or as the Germans call it, the Wies'n, the annual festival first held in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavaria's King Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

That's right: this greatest of German galas got its start as a wedding reception! Only decades after the festival began did the Bavarians do away with the horse races, agricultural shows and other distractions and embrace the Oktoberfest's sudsy destiny as the world's greatest beer-drinking party.

But considering their zeal during the last half-century -- each year Munich's mayor himself taps the first keg and cries "O'zapft ist!" ("It's tapped!") to open the festivities -- the Germans can be forgiven for their event's misguided youth.

Six Munich breweries prepare nearly a year ahead for the millions of foreign visitors -- mostly French, Italians and Americans -- who attend. Thousands of Bavarians break out their lederhosen and feathered caps, thoroughly embarrassing their north German countrymen, not that they care. Half a million sausages and 600,000 chickens are consumed in an average year.

Outside the beer halls, 48 fairground rides and attractions, including big wheels, ghost trains, mazes and the "Wall of Death," entertain kids of all ages. Roller coasters and other make-you-sick rides are at the ready for the uninhibited few who aren't dizzy enough already.

But don't get the wrong idea: the Oktoberfest isn't all fun and games. Those glass beer steins are heavy, even when they're almost empty.

And that's not all: the tidal wave of tourists still runs ahead of the flood of beer. Lines form at the bathrooms even with 1,200 toilets, and hundreds answer the call of nature on a convenient grassy field at any given moment. Those who show up after dark have a better chance of finding Super Bowl tickets than an empty seat.

With a little commitment, however, the diligent beer drinker can still enjoy the Wies'n. One must practice lifting beer mugs months in advance to build up the arms. If necessary, start with light beer.

Once at the Oktoberfest, one must simply commit to showing up around noon to grab a seat and staying all day. It's a tough life.

Anyone who follows this advice will have an unforgettable time at the Oktoberfest, where perfect strangers come from around the world to eat, drink, toast each other, sing, dance, embrace and kiss ... Hey, who was that guy?

Join the Festival Pig at the world's best festivals

Oktoberfest Dates, Location and Further Information

Oktoberfest is held in Munich, Germany each and every year. The festival begins in mid to late September and runs for 18 days. For exact dates and maps check the official Oktoberfest site.

More Oktoberfest