Oktoberfest
Posted on: September 23, 2009 by The Stove Monkey in Events
Oktoberfest: Doin’ it up right on the good old U.S.A.
So what first comes to mind when us chefs hear the term “Oktoberfest?”
Yep, beer. Just like you.
In addition though, of course we think about the many ways it seems us Americans have come to adopt the glorious combination of food and ale that is Munich’s 16 days of lederhosen-clad debauchery.
This past Saturday (September 19th) marked the first day of the 176th Munich Oktoberfest, but if you not able to make it to Germany for all the fun, there’s plenty right here in every corner of the good old United States you can raise a stein to.
“http://www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/okt.aspx”
Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati
Billed as North America’s largest Oktoberfest celebration on record, “http://www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/okt.aspx”Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati welcomes more than 500,000 people annually to Southwestern Ohio, where 80,500 bratwurst, 56,250 sausages, 24,640 potato pancakes, 1,875 lbs. of German potato salad, 702 lbs. of Limburger cheese, and 64,000 sauerkraut balls (yes, we said balls) are typically consumed. Jury’s out on the sheer gallons of beer consumed each year, but folks, that is one hell of a hard-core chow fest,
? “http://helenchamber.com/oktoberfest.htm” \t “_blank” Oktoberfest - Helen, Georgia
The longest running Oktoberfest in the United States, kicking off mid-September and ending the first weekend in November (9/10-27 and 10/1-11/1), also takes place in the ever-charming mountain town of Helen, Georgia. But don’t let this quaint little community fool you – Helen hosts nearly two million tourists per year, and hell do they know how to party. High altitudes mean more good times for your drinking duckets, and there’s also plenty of brats to go around. And with authentic German bands – accordions, cowbells, and alphorns in tow – this party is in no shortage of classic Polka fun.
“http://www.lmvma.com/lmv_oktoberfest.html” \t “_blank” La Mesa’s 36th Annual Oktoberfest
If you’re out West and looking for something German-esque to cheers to, we suggest La Mesa Village, California for its 36th annual Oktoberfest extravaganza. Don’t have anyone to go with? Of some 200,000 people who attend the event yearly, we think you’re sure to find someone who shares your love of all things German (or you can just drink until you stumble into someone friendly). With the equivalent of 6 city blocks filled with 5 food courts, 3 beer gardens, 300 vendors and a children’s carnival…what’s not to love?
? “http://dc.about.com/od/marylandneighborhoods/a/NationalHarbor.htm” Das Best Oktoberfest at National Harbor
The name says it all. Loosen your lederhosen as this outdoor festival is sure to please with 100 specialty beers, German wines, schnapps and plenty of authentic German food. Live Oompah bands and activities for all ages make this the place to celebrate in Maryland. (Fun fact: Maryland hosted the first American Oktoberfest ever…so there’s no doubt that their longstanding expertise will make this one hell of a binge fest).
And here’s just a few more listings of all things Oktoberfest going on across the U.S. over the next two months…
Oktoberfest in Ohio (our hometown turf!) “http://www.artsinohio.com/details.php?id=65374&type=e”
Oktoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute
“http://www.germantown.com” German Village Oktoberfest ? “http://www.woosterchamber.com” Woosterfest ? “http://www.wolfcreekmill.org/events.html” Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest in the Southeast
“http://gosoutheast.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XL&zu=http%3A//www.virginia.org/site/description.asp%3FAttrID%3D34222%26MGrp%3D3%26MCat%3D11″ \t “_blank” Fredericksburg Area Oktoberfest - Fredericksburg, Virginia
“http://www.charlotteoktoberfest.com/” \t “_blank” Charlotte Oktoberfest Beer Festival - Charlotte, North Carolina
“http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com/info_pages.php?pages_id=50″ \t “_blank” Annual Oktoberfest on the River - Savannah, Georgia
“http://historicgermantown.org/gsf.html” \t “_blank” Germantown Street Festival - Nashville, Tennessee
“http://crossvilleoktoberfest.com” \t “_blank” Crossville Oktoberfest - Crossville, Tennessee
“http://www.americangermanclub.org/oktoberfest.html” \t “_blank” Annual Oktoberfest - Lake Worth, Florida
“http://www.walhallasc.com/” \t “_blank” Walhalla Oktoberfest - Walhalla, South Carolina
“http://www.richmondoktoberfest.com/” \t “_blank” Annual Richmond Oktoberfest - Richmond, Virginia
“http://www.bramwelloktoberfest.com” \t “_blank” Bramwell Oktoberfest - Bramwell, West Virginia
Oktoberfest in the Northwest
“http://www.leavenworthoktoberfest.com/” Leavenworth Oktoberfest
“http://www.oktoberfest.org/” Mt. Angel Oktoberfest
“http://www.fremontoktoberfest.com/” Fremont Oktoberfest
“http://www.oktoberfestnw.com/” Oktoberfest Northwest
Oktoberfest in Maryland /D.C. Metro Area
“http://www.twinfallsid.org/annualevents.htm” Twin Falls Oktoberfest? “http://ftmeademwr.com/events/Oktoberfest/Oktoberfest2009_flyer.pdf” \t “_blank” Oktoberfest at Fort Meade? “http://www.blobspark.com” \t “_blank” Blob’s Park Oktoberfest? “http://www.lovettsvilleva.gov/default.asp?ContentID=26″ \t “_blank” Lovettsville’s Oktoberfest? “http://www.frederickoktoberfest.com” \t “_blank” Frederick Oktoberfest? “http://www.belvoirmwr.com/special-events/oktoberfest2008/index.html” \t “_blank” Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest? HYPERLINK “http://www.blocktoberfest.com” \t “_blank” Blocktoberfest at RFK Stadium
“http://www.germantownoktoberfest.org” \t “_blank” Germantown Oktoberfest? “http://www.capcitybrew.com” \t “_blank” Oktoberfest at Capitol City Brewing Company? “http://www.oktoberfestreston.com” \t “_blank” Oktoberfest Reston? “http://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/266126/alexandria-willkommen-to-neighborhood-restaurant-groups-oktobeerfest-celebration” Neighborhood Restaurant Group Oktobeerfest Celebration in Alexandria? “http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=774&TOC=107;84;99;774;” \t “_blank” Oktoberfest at the Kentlands? “http://www.capcitybrew.com/” \t “_blank” Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest - Arlington, Virginia
Oktoberfest in Texas
“http://gotexas.about.com/od/foodfestivals/a/WurstFest.htm” WurstFest
“http://gotexas.about.com/od/culturalheritagefestivals/p/FredOktoberfest.htm” Fredericksburg Oktoberfest
“http://gotexas.about.com/od/culturalheritagefestivals/p/BeethovenOct.htm” Beethoven Halle Oktoberfest
“http://gotexas.about.com/od/festivals/a/RenFest05.htm” Texas Renaissance Festival
“http://gotexas.about.com/od/culturalheritagefestivals/p/LancasterOct.htm” Lancaster Oktoberfest
“http://gotexas.about.com/od/culturalheritagefestivals/p/SouthLakeOct.htm” Southlake Oktoberfest
“http://gotexas.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gotexas&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.haakwine.com%2Fwinery_events.htm” Haaktoberfest
Oktoberfest around Lake Tahoe
“http://www.thevillageatsquaw.com/todo/events/October/index.htm” \t “_blank” The Village at Squaw Valley Oktoberfest? “http://www.visittahoecity.com/harvest_festival.aspx” \t “_blank” Tahoe City Oktoberfest? “http://www.camprichardson.com/event-calendar” \t “_blank” Camp Richardson Oktoberfest
“http://www.cvinn.com/entertainment_events/oktoberfest/index.htm” \t “_blank” Oktoberfest at the Carson Valley Inn
Oktoberfest in San Diego
“http://www.sandiegocoastlife.com/events/san-diego-coast/events-encinitas-heritage-oktoberfest.html” Encinitas Oktoberfest
“http://www.germanclubsandiego.org/oktoberfest.html” \t “_blank” El Cajon Oktoberfest
“http://www.rotaryoktoberfest.org/” 27th annual Carlsbad Rotary Oktoberfest
“http://www.ramonachamber.com/oktoberfest.php” \t “_blank” Ramona Oktoberfest?
Prost!
Anthony & Mytro
