German Cuisine and Oktoberfest
Running Head: OKTOBERFEST: FESTIVAL OF FUN
Oktoberfest: Festival of Fun
Nikita Melnikov
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
ENG1213
Oktoberfest: Festival of Fun
Before winter wraps a white blanket on the lands, a final celebration is in session for October all over the world. This is the time to eat, drink, and be merry: Oktoberfest. The tradition began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. The location was named Theresienwiese, meaning Theresa’s fields; locals usually refer to them as just “Wies’n.” Festivities occurred on these fields in front of the city gates and continued for sixteen days. The original event at Oktoberfest was a horse race (Saunders, 2007). Each year afterwards, different additions were made such as adding an agricultural show (The History of Oktoberfest, 2007). Throughout the years, the activities accumulated to carousels, swings, tree-climbing competitions, wheelbarrow and sack races, mush eating contests, barrel rolling races and goose chases. In 1908, Oktoberfest even included a roller coaster. At first, beer kiosks were places all around the festival area. In 1896, the small beer kiosks were replaced by large beer halls, which were sponsored by the local breweries (Vistawide, 2008). Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival celebrated annually in Munich, Germany, and includes traditional activities, beer, food, dance, music, and dress.
The time of Oktoberfest is important to the whole city of Munich. The Mayor begins the festivities on the first day at noontime. The fun begins officially after he taps into a wooden barrel of beer and proclaims, “O’zapft is,” meaning, “It’s tapped!” A massive parade takes place on the first Sunday of the festival. The procession includes 7000 performers including groups dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing, historical uniforms,
Oktoberfest: Festival of Fun
Nikita Melnikov
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
ENG1213
Oktoberfest: Festival of Fun
Before winter wraps a white blanket on the lands, a final celebration is in session for October all over the world. This is the time to eat, drink, and be merry: Oktoberfest. The tradition began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. The location was named Theresienwiese, meaning Theresa’s fields; locals usually refer to them as just “Wies’n.” Festivities occurred on these fields in front of the city gates and continued for sixteen days. The original event at Oktoberfest was a horse race (Saunders, 2007). Each year afterwards, different additions were made such as adding an agricultural show (The History of Oktoberfest, 2007). Throughout the years, the activities accumulated to carousels, swings, tree-climbing competitions, wheelbarrow and sack races, mush eating contests, barrel rolling races and goose chases. In 1908, Oktoberfest even included a roller coaster. At first, beer kiosks were places all around the festival area. In 1896, the small beer kiosks were replaced by large beer halls, which were sponsored by the local breweries (Vistawide, 2008). Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival celebrated annually in Munich, Germany, and includes traditional activities, beer, food, dance, music, and dress.
The time of Oktoberfest is important to the whole city of Munich. The Mayor begins the festivities on the first day at noontime. The fun begins officially after he taps into a wooden barrel of beer and proclaims, “O’zapft is,” meaning, “It’s tapped!” A massive parade takes place on the first Sunday of the festival. The procession includes 7000 performers including groups dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing, historical uniforms,
References: Aspinwall, C. (2007). Willkommen: Tulsa’s Oktoberfest Starts Thursday. Tulsa World. Chapel Hill News. (2007). Oktoberfest by the Haw. Cole, A Lad, K. (2008). Traditional German Clothing. Retrieved on July 6, 2008, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/traditional-german-clothing.html Saunders, L. (2007). Germany: Oktoberfest. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/germany/octfest.html Smith, A. (2007). Festival Celebrates German Heritage. The Daily Item. The History of Oktoberfest. (2007). Retrieved on July 1, 2008, from http://www.muenchen.de/Tourismus/Oktoberfest/136868/03history.html Vistawide. (2007). Oktoberfest. Retrieved on July 1, 2008, from http://vistawide.com/german/oktoberfest/oktoberfest.htm