Oktoberfest

1. Oktoberfest Anné Basic Spoken German

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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. How it all begins…

11. What are the hours? Beer Serving Hours: Weekdays:10am-10:30pm Weekends and Holidays:9am-10:30pm Tent Closing Time: 11:30 pm Sales Booth (souvenirs, cigarettes, etc.) Mon.-Thurs.- 10am-11:30pm Fri.- 10am- 12am Sat.- 9am-12am Sun. and Holidays-9am- 11:30pm

12. What are the hours? Carnival and Rides Mon.- Thurs: 10am-11:30pm Fri., Sat.:10am-12 am Sun. and Holidays: 10 am- 11:30 pm Family Days Every Tuesday for 12 pm until 6pm (Discount rides, entrance, and sale prices.

13. Hippodrom Armbrustschützenzelt Hofbräu Festzelt Hacker-Festzelt Schottenhamel Winzerer Fähndl Schützen-Festzelt Käfers Wiesn Schänke Weinzelt Löwenbräu-Festhalle Bräurosl Augustiner-Festhalle Ochsenbraterei Fischer Vroni The tents…

14. 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: SeppKrätz and family Seating Capacity Inside: 3,200 Seating Capacity Outside: 1,000 Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu Hippodrum

15. 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

16. 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 ToriRoiderer • Seating Capacity: 9,300 • Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr

17. HofbräuFestzelt • 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: HofbräuMünchen

18. 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- FranziskanerBräu

19. 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.

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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. Popular Breweries • Augustiner • Hacker-Pschorr • Hofbrau • Lowenbrau • Paulaner • Spaten • They are all brewed or bottled within the city units of Munich

26. 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.

27. 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

28. Music • Traditional Folk Music • Folk, marches, polkas • Brass • Disco • Rock n’ roll • Drinking songs

29. Famous Oktoberfest music • Fetzentaler • Simmisamma • UnterbrunnerBlasmusik • PlattlingerIsarspatzen • Cagey Strings Rock’n’Roll Band • Otto SchwarzfischerBlaskapelle • Die Niederalmer • Bert Hansmaier’sHeldensteiner • Ludwig Thoma-Musicians • SüdtirolerSpitzbuam

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

31. Transportation… • It is highly recommended not to go directly to Oktoberfest in your own car. • Park and Ride • MVV subways • Taxi • Train

32. 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.

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

34. 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

35. 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.

36. 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

37. 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>.