… this time every year, the traditional Oktoberfest starts in Munich. Not only in Munich you can enjoy the large beers, traditional music, half a chicken(!) and the traditional costumes. The Oktoberfest is celebrated all over the world, even though the fest in Munich  is counted to the most known events in Germany and the worlds biggest fair, to hold approx 6 million visitors every year.

In 1810 the commemoration of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hilburghausen marriage was held and disputed as the first Oktoberfest held. With some exceptions, the Oktoberfest is held yearly starting mid September until the first weekend of October. It starts of with the traditional twelve gun salute and the tapping of the first keg of beer. All the tents hold their own tradition (see listing below*).

Also the traditional clothes is a highlight, men in their lederhosen and women in the colorful dresses.  A tip is to buy the dresses off season, as they are quiet expensive and a shop I have grown to like, is the [1] Heimatwerk Kärnten, where I got my latest dress in pink and green pastels. You do have more fun in traditional clothes at the Oktoberfest and it looks fantastic when men and women dress up in their “Tracht”.

In this area - almost all larger cities and villages have their own Oktoberfest during September/beginning of October, so if you want to stay out of the large crowd of 6 million people, you get more tradition in the villages then nowadays at the Oktoberfest, however it is worth being there at least once!

So let’s salute to the Oktoberfest 2009!

So long - Prost!

/S

 *Tent informtion:

• Hippodrom — One of the smaller tents, it’s the first tent that many visitors see at the fest. As well as serving normal Wiesn beer, it has a Sekt (sparkling wine) bar and Maß of Weißbier. Considered one of the trendiest tents, and attracts the occasional celebrity. Traditionally in the evening the Oktoberfest band the Münchner Zwietracht plays all the Oktoberfestclassics.
• Armbrustschützenzelt — Translates as the “Crossbow Shooters Tent”, a competition that has been a part of the Oktoberfest since 1895.
• Hofbräu Festzelt— The counterpart to the famous Hofbräuhaus, this tent is especially popular with Americans, Australians and New Zealanders.
• Hacker-Festzelt — One of the largest tents on the Wiesn, they have a rock band that plays from 5:30 each evening (as opposed to the traditional brass band). This tent is also known as “Himmel der Bayern” (Heaven of Bavaria)
• Schottenhamel — Reckoned to be the most important tent at the Oktoberfest, mainly because it is where it starts. On the first Saturday of the event, no beer is allowed to be served until the mayor of Munich (currently Christian Ude) taps the first keg, at 12pm. Only then can the other tents begin to serve beer. Very popular amongst younger people.
• Winzerer Fähndl — This tent is noted for its huge tower, with a Maß of Paulaner beer sitting atop it.
• Schützen-Festhalle — This is a mid-sized tent. Situated under the Bavaria statue, the current tent was newly built in 2004.
• Käfers Wiesen Schänke — The smallest tent at the Oktoberfest, it is frequented by celebrities, and is known for its especially good food. In contrast to the other tents (which must close by 11pm), it is open until 0:30am, but it can be very difficult to get in.
• Weinzelt — This tent offers a selection of more than 15 wines, as well as Weißbier.
• Löwenbräu-Festhalle — Above the entrance is a 4.50 meter (15 foot) lion who occasionally drinks from his beer. This is overshadowed by another tower where another drinking lion sits.
• Bräurosl (Hacker-Pschorr) — Named after the daughter of the original brewery owner (Pschorr), this tent has the usual brass band and a yodeler.
• Augustiner-Festhalle — Considered by many locals to be the best tent, due to the fact it sells the favourite local brew, Augustiner, from individually tapped wooden kegs rather than stainless steel vats used by the other tents.
• Ochsenbraterei — True to its name, this tent offers a great variety of ox dishes.
• Fischer Vroni — Another of the smaller tents. Fisch is the German word for fish and this tent carries a huge selection in its menu.