Oktoberfest: Why Everybody Is A Little German Right Now

So you're interested in Germany, October, and German October Festivals? We would hope so, because this Halloween Club marketing team is über-enthusiastic about learning everything we can about cross-cultural celebrations. And about getting you in the right garb at the right time. Read on for everything you need to know about... and wear to Oktoberfest 2017! "Noch ein Bier, bitte!"

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest. It is both a beer festival and a traveling fair. It is held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany from 16 to 18 days with more than 6 million people from around the world attending annually. Locally, it is called the Wiesn, which is a name for the fairgrounds at Theresa's meadows. Cities around the world, including Los Angeles, have modeled Oktoberfest celebrations around the Munich event. The normal events of Oktoberbest may include consuming large quantities of beer, as well as enjoying amusement rides, side stalls, and games, and eating traditional Oktoberfest foods.

When is the right time to celebrate Oktoberfest?

In Germany, Oktoberfest 2017 began Saturday, September 16 and will end on Tuesday, October 3... but Southern Californians like to keep the party going... That's why Oktoberfest will be celebrated across Los Angeles and Orange County through the end of October! Two locations to celebrate Oktoberfest are at the Old World Village in Huntington Beach event until October 29, 2017, or at the Alpine Village event until October 28th, 2017, among many more places.

What should I wear to Oktoberfest?

Here's where we've got you covered! Men wear a pair of shorts or three-quarter-length pants with a buttoned or zippered fastening, a drop-front flap, white shirt, and leather suspenders with a front cross strap. These are called lederhosen, or "leather breeches" characteristics of Tyrol, Austria, traditionally worn by the working peasantry in the 18th century. Some accessories can include long socks and boots or a German-styled hiking hat decorated with a tuft of goat hair. Women wear a dirndl, which is a bodice, blouse, and a full skirt with an apron. If you tie your bow on the left, it means you are single. If you tie your bow on the right, it means you are taken. We have some awesome takes on these outfits for you and your Oktoberfest celebration this year!

Gretchen Girl Adult Womens Costume 160433

Hansel Adult Mens Costume 060227

Lil Miss Lederhosen Womens Costume 212836

Get Real Beer Pint Adult Mens Costume 268969

Embroidered Lederhosen Adult Womens Costume 322625

Oktoberfest Lederhosen Adult Mens Costume 346969

When did Oktoberfest become a thing?

The very first Oktoberfest was held to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810, when the citizens of Munich were invited to celebrate royal festivities on the fields in front of the city gates. The festivities were repeated in 1811, with a show added to promote Bavarian agriculture. After the Napoleonic Wars, the celebration grew every year, with the addition of horse races, tree climbing, bowling alleys, and swings. Carnival booths appeared in 1818. Bratwurst booths and small beer stands became popular. In 1869, the beer stands were replaced with tents, set up by landlords and breweries. These traditional 19th-century components of the celebration are still practiced today, except for the horse races. The festival was canceled during the Austro-Prussian War, Franco-Prussian War, WWI, and WWII. Nowadays, Oktoberfest has an international atmosphere characteristic of the 21st century. Hence, the locals still call the event "Wiesn." To keep the event from exploding into an uncontrollable party that could no longer be enjoyed by the local elderly or by families, a rule was established in 2005, that only quiet brass music below 85 Decibels is permitted before 6 pm.

Why is Oktoberfest music so silly?

The folk music of Oktoberfest is called Oom-pah music, which is the sound of a brass instrument in a rhythmic pattern, part of a band. The oom-pah sound is made by a tuba alternating between the root of the chord and the 5th, this sound being the oom. The pah is played by higher-pitched instruments like the clarinet, accordion, or trombone. Some of the Oktoberfest songs are typical "drinking songs." Some are German hits. Others are English hits. Ein Prosit is one example of a popular Oktoberfest song. The words repeated at the beginning of the song are "Ein Prosit Der Gemütlichkeit" meaning "I salute to our cozy friendship and the good times we're having together." The next part of the song is a countdown to zuffa, or to take a large sip. The song ends with the band asking you if you are having fun with either "Ziggy Zocky Ziggy Zocky" or "Ticky Tocky Ticky Tocky" and you respond "Oi Oi Oi!" What music will you play at your Oktoberfest celebration? Consider some of these.

Anything else to know?

You are thoroughly prepped. Just expect to be heavily involved in some sort of beer barrel roll and a yodeling contest. Some recommended Oktoberfest themed beers to consider trying this year include Schlafly Oktoberfest, Sierra Nevada 2017 Oktoberfest, Bell’s Oktoberfest, Saint Arnold Brewing Icon Red - Marzen, Left Hand Oktoberfest, and Third Street Brewhouse Oktoberfest Session Marzen.

The Halloween Club Family Wishes You A Happy Oktoberfest!

Show up dressed in one of these awesome Oktoberfest costumes and enjoy the one of a kind celebration. Don't forget to look in the eyes when you "Prost" and be sure to visit the Halloween Club stores for your Oktoberfest costumes!

Sources:

Averill, Graham. "6 Oktoberfest Beers You Need To Drink Right Now." Paste. Paste Media

Group. 26 September 2017. Web. 28 September 2017.

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/09/6-oktoberfest-beers-you-need-to-drink-right-now.html

"The History of Oktoberfest." Muenchen.de. Portal München Betriebs-GmbH & Co. Web.

http://www.muenchen.de/int/en/events/oktoberfest/history.html

Kiniry, Laura. "10 Oktoberfest Traditions." Frommer's. FrommerMedia LLC. Web. 28 September
2017. http://www.frommers.com/slideshows/818933-10-oktoberfest-traditions

"Most Popular Songs At Oktoberfest." BigBoyTravel.com. BigBoyTravel. Web. 28 September

2017. http://www.bigboytravel.com/europe/germany/munich/oktoberfest/most-popular-songs/

"Oktoberfest Party Guide." GermanFoods.org. German Foods North America LLC. Web. 28

September 2017. https://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/oktoberfest-party-guide/

Zanzig, Mark. "Munich Oktoberfest - All Songs." Oktoberfest Insider. Mark Zanzig. Mark Zanzig.

Web. 28 September 2017. http://www.oktoberfest-insider.com/oktoberfest-songs.htm

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