Oktoberfests Worldwide

Oktoberfest Beer Festivals

Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest 2008 is just one week away. I’ve never known why Oktoberfest takes place in September.  The story goes that the first Oktoberfest was held way back in 1810 in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince’s marriage.  The festivities were so massive that they sparked annual celebrations.  These are now repeated slightly earlier to allow for better weather conditions.  September nights are warmer and allow visitors to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and to stroll around the city for much longer.  So there we have it.

More and more countries around the world are getting in on the annual beer action:  in the USA, states including Ohio, Washington and Colorado - literally the length and breadth of the country now celebrate the festival at this time of year.  Oktoberfest has just been celebrated in Manilla, Phillipines.  Sydney and Brisbane are kicking off celebrations in the coming days and weeks also.

So what is it about this ‘Beerfest’ that draws such massive celebrations the world over?

Ompa Band Oktoberfest

After much research and deliberation, I’ve come to the conclusion that it hinges on a few key primal needs:

• Good German beer (by the litre)
• Good company
• Good music and not forgetting
• Good Bratwurst.

Text image courtesy of Farbfilm’s photostream on Flickr

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