Oktoberfest Anné

Basic Spoken German

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.

Marriage 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.

History 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 176th Oktoberfest and starts on September 19 through October 4th.

2010: September 18- October 3 2011: September 17- October 3 2012: September 22- October 7

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/Fairgrounds 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. Also, they have attractions like human eating fish and a hall of mirrors. There are also, musicians who walk through the fairgrounds playing traditional Bavarian music.

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. The procession starts at the Bavarian State of Parliament and travels through the streets of Munich to the fairground.

How it all begins…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. Once the barrel has

been tapped, all visitors can start to drink. Most people start to arrive at 9 am to secure good seats and the see

the festivities up close.

What are the hours?Beer Serving Hours:Weekdays:10am-10:30pmWeekends and Holidays:9am-10:30pm

Tent Closing Time: 11:30 pm

Sales Booth (souvenirs, cigarettes, etc.)Mon.-Thurs.- 10am-11:30pmFri.- 10am- 12amSat.- 9am-12amSun. and Holidays-9am- 11:30pm

What are the hours?Carnival and Rides Mon.- Thurs: 10am-11:30pmFri., Sat.:10am-12 am Sun. and Holidays: 10 am- 11:30 pm

Family DaysEvery Tuesday for 12 pm until 6pm(Discount rides, entrance, and sale prices.

The tents… Hippodrom Armbrustschützenzelt

Hofbräu Festzelt

Hacker-Festzelt

Schottenhamel

Winzerer Fähndl

Schützen-Festzelt

Käfers Wiesn Schänke Weinzelt

Löwenbräu-Festhalle

Bräurosl

Augustiner-Festhalle

Ochsenbraterei

Fischer Vroni

Hippodrum One of the favorite tents of the locals. It is somewhat smaller than the other tents and is

frequented by the younger crowd. The bar serves “stylish sekt”, which is sparkling wine, which gives this tent a special flair. It is highly recommended for single people, as the flirt factor is one of the highest in Oktoberfest. Also, many celebrities come here.

Proprietors: Sepp Krätz and family Seating Capacity Inside: 3,200 Seating Capacity Outside: 1,000 Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu

Armbrustschtützen The Oktoberfest crossbow competition is considered

one of the great highlights. The marksmen have been letting it fly since 1895. It also is especially comfortable and you’re safe. Regardless whether someone has a roast chicken, knuckle of pork, or traditional sausages with sauerkraut, they’re sure to be pleased. Also, excellent Paulaner beer is served and the Unterbrunner music is played.

Proprietors: Familie Peter Inselkammer Seating Capacity Inside: 5,830 Seating Capacity Outside: 1,600 Brewery: Paulner

Hacker- Festzelt The philosophy of this tent is when

surrounded by clouds and stars with a cold liter of beer in the hand. You may feel as though you are truly in a “Bavarian Heaven”. This year, every evening starting at 5:30 pm a Rock n’ Roll band will perform.

Proprietors: Chrisl and Tori Roiderer Seating Capacity: 9,300 Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr

Hofbräu Festzelt The counterpart of the Hofbraehous located in the

city of Munich is a huge tourist attraction during Oktoberfest. Guests come here from all over the world, especially Americans and Australians. True Bavarian delicacies and other specialties can be purchased at economical prices during midday.

Proprietors: Margot and Günter Steinberg Seating Capacity Inside: 6,896 Seating Capacity Outside: 3,022 Brewery: Hofbräu München

Schottenhamel On the opening day of the Oktoberfest, at 12 pm on

the dot, the mayor at Munich, Christian Ude will tap the first keg and call out “O’zapft is!” confirming that the tapping was successful. It is only after that, that the other tents may begin to serve beer. In 1867, it only had 50 seats, and now it is the largest tents holding 10,000 people. It is a favorite to young people and partying.

Proprietors: Peter and Christian Schottenhamel Seating Capacity Inside: 6,000 Seating Capacity Outside: 4,000 Brewery: Spaten- Franziskaner Bräu

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 After Oktoberfest ends, the vouchers can be

used around restaurants and beer halls in Munich.

Food Wurst or sausage with sauerkraut/ mustard Oxen tails Roasted Chicken- usually served a half Potatoes dumplings with red cabbage Pretzels Rolls Affelstrudel

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.

Before refrigeration… Marzen beers were brewed in March, lagered

or cold- stored in caves for 10-12 weeks, and ready to drink by the late summer or early fall.

Oktoberfest bier It was first introduced in 1872, through a

collaboration with Spaten brewery’s Gabriel Sedlmayr, and Anton Dreher of Vienna, Austria. Now a days, Oktoberfest beers tend to be lighter in color and body than the traditional Marzen style, while American craft breweries are creating festbiers that are often slightly higher in alcohol, richer in hops aroma and flavor, and redder in hue than European festbiers.

Cost of Beer The price of beer expected for Oktoberfest

2009 is 7.80 to 8.30 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 Hofbrau Lowenbrau Paulaner Spaten They are all brewed or bottled within the city

units of Munich

Men Oktoberfest clothing Lederhosen- 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.

- Buttons are usually made from rough elk horn.

- Usually accompanied by leather suspenders.

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 Otto Schwarzfischer Blaskapelle Die Niederalmer Bert Hansmaier’s Heldensteiner Ludwig Thoma-Musicians Südtiroler Spitzbuam

Souvenirs Beer mugs Beer stein Beer boot glasses Bottle caps Clothes Aprons Gingerbread hearts And much more…

Transportation… It is highly recommended not to go directly to

Oktoberfest in your own car. Park and Ride MVV subways Taxi Train

MVV Subways Every 10 minutes Directly to Oktoberfest Tickets are cheap and easy to get Open late during Oktoberfest The only downfall is that they are crowded

and loud during Oktoberfest.

Taxi Really busy, not many available Long wait Expensive Smoker vs. Non Smoker

Train Special weekend tickets and also deals

around Oktoberfest time Last train is at 3am It takes passengers long distances and

around most parts of Europe Cheap

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

Works Citied Blashfield, Jean. Germany. New York: Children's

Press, 2003. Print. Fuller, Barbara. Germany. 2. New York: Marshall

Cavendish, 1995. Print. Gray, Susan. Germany. New York: Children's Press,

2003. Print. Lord, Richard. Germany. Milwaukee: Gareth

Stevens Publishing, 1997. Print. Schöninger, Tino. Oktoberfest.de. 2009.

datenwerk.de. 09 Apr 2009 <http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/00/imprint/index.php>.