How to Celebrate Oktoberfest

By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

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Beer anyone? Munich's Oktoberfest is one of the largest festivals in Europe, attracting 6 million visitors annually with beer, sausage and song. Despite its name, Oktoberfest takes place during the last two weeks of September.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Restaurant Dining Guides
Beer
Wine And Beer
Beer Mugs
Polka Favorites CDs
Airline Tickets

Step1

Visit Munich and enjoy the celebration on the "Theresienwiese" (Theresa's meadow). In 2000 Oktoberfest begins on Saturday, September 16, and ends on Tuesday, October 3. Plan your trip early, before hotels and flights get booked.

Step2

Attend an Oktoberfest closer to home. German restaurants are the first places to find a celebration. German clubs, some churches, language schools, universities and independent groups often hold Oktoberfests as fundraising events.

Step3

Host your own Oktoberfest party. With a CD or cassette tape of German polka music, you can create the ambience of a typical German beer tent ("bierzelt") from the "Theresienwiese." Remember to stock up on German beer, soft pretzels and sweet mustard.

Step4

Prepare a German dinner. Typical Oktoberfest foods originating from Bavaria include sauerkraut, potato salad, red cabbage, sausage and, of course, German beer and wine.

Step5

Teach yourself a few German drinking songs or make up your own.

Step6

Learn to polka. Invite energetic friends and learn as a group.

Step7

Don Bavarian costumes such as leather shorts with decorated suspenders ("lederhosen") or a quaint dress with a gathered waistband ("dirndl"). Borrow from German family members or friends, or try to rent from local costume shops. You'll be the life of the party!

Tips & Warnings

Germans are proud of their beer, with as many varieties in Germany as there are large villages. Fortunately, many of the German methods for beer brewing have come to North America, so Oktoberfest is the perfect time to sample an authentic German brew or a home-grown concoction.
Originally, Oktoberfest was the celebration of the marriage between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich (Munchen) were invited to the royal event, which took place on the very same fields where Oktoberfest is celebrated today.
Remember never to drink and drive.