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If you love Oktoberfest, then Munich, Germany, is the place to visit. Whether one wants to immerse themselves in German culture, or if they’d just like the opportunity to drink exorbitant amounts of beer, then the annual Oktoberfest celebration in Munich is the place for them.
Happening annually at the Theresienwiese, a popular Munich recreation spot, Oktoberfest features a full-scale brewery parade complete with horse-drawn beer carts, a full array of amusement park rides and vendor tents, and a special introduction from the mayor of Munich, who always taps the first keg. An annual Oktoberfest costume parade is another crowd pleaser, featuring brightly dressed marchers and musicians, as well as elaborate display carts. Radiant florals, brightly bridled horses, elaborate flags and—of course—lovely costumes are trademarks of this parade.
Oktoberfest might best be described as the world’s largest organized beer party—and, as always, one good party deserves another. In order to plan the perfect ‘Oktoberfest fest’ in Munich, Germany, the good host will bring along a vast variety of party supplies; for an adult-oriented party, these could include decorative beer mugs and steins, a full-sized paper mache beer barrel, and plastic bubbly beer glasses that guests can take home as party favors.
For an Oktoberfest party that appeals to all ages, the host might opt for a keg of root beer and decorations that include paper and foil leaves (presented in fall shades such as brown and gold), as well as full-sized and miniature representations of the German flag, which itself boasts the autumn-style colors of red, black and gold. At both parties guests could dine on leaf print plates and sip from decorative mugs, beneath vibrant colored banners that represent and celebrate the occasion at hand.
An amazing place to visit for Oktoberfest is Munich, Germany: the home of the ultimate Oktoberfest celebration.
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Right click to copy the the printable Oktoberfest puzzle below.
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Right click to copy the the printable Oktoberfest puzzle
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* Drinking beer, eating bratwurst and listening to a polka band is what most Americans think of as celebrating Oktoberfest.
* Oktoberfest celebration was established in October of 1810 by Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (crowned as King Ludwig I) in celebration of his marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.
* The unusual thing was that the general public was invited to share in his celebration. At the time, such a thing was unheard of - nobles rarely associated themselves with the general public.
* Some 40,000 Bavarians attended the wedding celebration in Munich on what is now called Theresienwiese.
* Almost 200 years later, year after year, the celebration is held at the same location.
* "Wies'n" (the local term for the celebration, derived from Theresienwiese) is truly a Bavarian event that has become a celebration of life not only for Barvarians, but for all Germans and now the world, with some form of Oktoberfest happening in many cities and breweries.
* Today it is a huge event lasting 16 days with millions of people from all over the world.
* Costumes called Trachten are also popular at the Oktoberfest with Bavarians proudly wearing their local historical costumes. The men wear either suspenders and Lederhosen (leather short pants). The women wear a very traditional folk costume that is culturally unique to certain areas of Bavaria called a Dirndl.
* Oktoberfest is not only an event, it is also a style of beer. The traditional style guidelines describe an amber-gold lager, robust at 5.2 to 6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), bottom-fermented and lagered for at least a month, with pronounced malt flavors from Vienna malts, usually accented by the German noble hops such as Hallertau and Tettnang.
* An Oktoberfest is brewed very much like the reddish-amber Marzen beer that was served at the Crown Prince's wedding in 1810.
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Educational Oktoberfest History Learning Guide
Mardi Gras Party Supplies
