| Here is the strangest thing about one of Germany's | | | | of the normal brewing cycle. |
| best celebrations - and they have some of the | | | | If you are unable to attend the celebrations yourself |
| Europe's best - the Oktoberfest (translation: October | | | | and feel that you want to hold your own |
| Festival), actually starts in September. Having thought | | | | Oktoberfest celebration here are a few tips. Firstly, |
| about this for years, mostly thru a thick head, I can | | | | the colours of the Munich festival are light blue and |
| only conclude that this has come about because it's | | | | white, so streamers, beads etc should all be themed |
| so good that no-one can wait for October to arrive | | | | to these colours. Flags should be chequered design of |
| and therefore everyone starts early! | | | | light blue and white. These are readily available from |
| Oktoberfest originates from the wedding celebrations | | | | online suppliers should you require them. If you |
| surrounding the marriage of the Crown Prince, later | | | | cannot get any Wies'n beer, then lager would be an |
| to become King Lugwig I of Bavaria and Princess | | | | acceptable substitute. |
| Therese von Sachsen-Hilburghausen. The marriage | | | | Oktoberfest foods would be the traditional bratwurst |
| took place on October 17, 1810 and was celebrated | | | | served either with brot (bread) or Kaiser rolls. |
| with horse races and other popular entertainments of | | | | Bratwurst is always served with German mustard |
| the day. These celebrations were soon incorporated | | | | and often sauerkraut and/or potato salad are |
| with the agricultural show held around the same time | | | | offered as accompaniments. Within Germany these |
| and they have grown enormously ever since. | | | | are not foods restricted to Oktoberfest but are |
| Nowadays there are huge fairgrounds with shooting | | | | widely enjoyed throughout the year with bratwurst |
| galleries, fairground stalls and side-shows along with all | | | | forming the basis of Germany's fast-food industry - |
| manner of other amusements and activities. In | | | | although the golden arches are becoming more |
| recognition of its origins, the vast fairgrounds | | | | widespread wherever you go. |
| associated with the festival are referred to as | | | | Costumes are anything German and there are some |
| 'Theresienwiese' after Princess Therese. | | | | fantastic lederhosen costumes for men and German |
| The primarily location for Oktoberfest is Munich | | | | Heidi or Bier Maid costumes for ladies. For the |
| where more than 6 million people visit each year. | | | | costume you have the option of making one but |
| German transport authorities organise special coaches | | | | there are few costume patterns available - try a |
| and trains to Munich's 'Wies'n' celebrations, the | | | | major haberdashery store to see what they have or |
| traditional popular name for the festival. As a result | | | | can get. If you want to buy a costume then you |
| of its global popularity the festival has also been | | | | have the option of either hiring one or buying one of |
| nicknamed as the Festival of Nations. | | | | your own. With the advent of mass production, it is |
| The Munich Oktoberfest beer festival always starts | | | | probably easier to buy than rent and the price |
| with a procession of gaily and colourfully decorated | | | | differential is probably insignificant. |
| brewers carts and drays belonging to the local | | | | If you choose to buy an Oktoberfest costume then |
| brewers and publicans who are taking part in the | | | | the options will be between visiting your local fancy |
| festival. At midday punctually, and you can't imagine | | | | dress store or shopping on-line through an internet |
| anything other than it happening dead on midday, the | | | | based fancy dress costume site. In either case, they |
| Mayor of Munich taps the first barrel of the special | | | | should also be able to offer you a selection of Alpine |
| Wies'n beer to a salvo of cannon fire. | | | | Hats, other fancy dress accessories as well as a |
| Oktoberfest has its own beer a strong dark beer | | | | selection of associated party goods; Oktoberfest |
| which is brewed and stored especially for the | | | | banners, decorative cut outs, streamers and |
| occasion. Recently it has been estimated that approx | | | | Oktoberfest beads and throws in blue and white. |
| 7 million litres of this strong brew are drunk during | | | | Online retailers tend to lay their shops out so that it's |
| the celebrations, nearly half a million litres per day of | | | | easy to find the costume that you are looking for |
| the 17 day festival. Originally this stronger than normal | | | | and a few will have an exceptional variety of fancy |
| brew, was made as a 'special' from the residues that | | | | dress costume accessories. And in the main, it is the |
| built up during the preceding year of brewing. | | | | careful selection of your costume accessories that |
| Nowadays with 19 million litres being required it is part | | | | really brings the whole costume together. |
