Oktoberfest

Ann
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 20
th
century these booths
have developed into large beer halls.
Where was it held?
The fairground for Oktoberfest has always
been held at Thereses Meadow, named after
Princess Therese and is still held there to this
day.

When is Oktoberfest?
It is usually the 3
rd
Sunday in September. It
runs for sixteen days through early October.
This year it will be the 176
th
Oktoberfest and
starts on September 19 through October 4
th
.
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. Theres 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-10:30pm
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

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.


The tents
Hippodrom

Armbrustschtzenzelt

Hofbru Festzelt

Hacker-Festzelt

Schottenhamel

Winzerer Fhndl

Schtzen-Festzelt

Kfers Wiesn Schnke

Weinzelt

Lwenbru-Festhalle

Brurosl

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 Krtz and family
Seating Capacity Inside: 3,200
Seating Capacity Outside: 1,000
Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bru
Armbrustschttzen
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 youre safe. Regardless whether
someone has a roast chicken, knuckle of pork, or
traditional sausages with sauerkraut, theyre 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
Hofbru 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 Gnter Steinberg
Seating Capacity Inside: 6,896
Seating Capacity Outside: 3,022
Brewery: Hofbru Mnchen
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 Ozapft 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 Bru
Tent Reservations
Reserve seats in tents ahead of time for
larger parties
Most people dont 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 brewerys 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 18
th
century
Top is usually a white, peasant top
Tight bodice
Flowly skirt, dress
Usually checkered apron
Depending on the person the skirts 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 RocknRoll Band
Otto Schwarzfischer Blaskapelle
Die Niederalmer
Bert Hansmaiers Heldensteiner
Ludwig Thoma-Musicians
Sdtiroler 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.
Schninger, Tino. Oktoberfest.de. 2009.
datenwerk.de. 09 Apr 2009
<http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/00/imprint/index.php>
.