Oktoberfest Helen Ga Is Hopping With Excitement

Starting each year in mid-September and running through the end of October, the annual Oktoberfest Helen GA is a wild romp through the traditions of Bavarian Europe. Lasting eight weeks, it is the longest running Oktoberfest celebration in Georgia. The beautiful fall foliage and crisp autumn air provide the perfect backdrop for a carefree European style getaway, located just 70 miles from Atlanta!

A brief history of Oktoberfest Helen GA

The original Oktoberfest started in 1810 in Munich, then the capital of Bavaria. In honor of a royal wedding, a two-week long party was held and then repeated annually, each year growing in length and popularity.

Traditional beers, such as Marzen, were served along with the standard fare of the day: bratwurst and schnitzels. Over the years, the variety of beer and food has grown, with the celebration taking hold world-wide, becoming known as a time for frivolous celebration...with the help of some good old fashioned polka and inebriants!

In 1970, the first Helen GA Oktoberfest was hosted and within a few years, the celebration became a favorite for locals and tourists alike. Town businesses and community leaders had been looking for a way to revitalize the dwindling industrial economy of Helen GA. Settling on turning the town into a displaced Bavarian village nestled in the heart of Georgia, the town thrived as a tourist destination shortly thereafter.

What to expect at Oktoberfest Helen GA

Oktoberfest Helen GA is a place to forget the cares and stresses of everyday life and travel back to a time when the world was simpler; a world of food, beer and music. In addition to the beautiful scenery and weather Helen, Georgia routinely offers, the town goes all-out come Oktoberfest. The cobblestone alleyways are lined with revelers pouring out of the restaurants and shops in time honored tradition.

Here's just some of the things to look forward to at Helen Oktoberfest:

• Excessive amounts of authentic Bavarian food. Traditional fare consists of:  knockwurst, bratwurst, cheddarwurst, potato salad, leberkäse, pretzel knodle, goulash, red cabbage, schnitzels, sauerkraut, chocolates, cheesecakes and apple strudel.
• Beer, wine, more beer and more wine. Whether exports, imports, Autumn brews, lagers, meads, ales, stouts, hops, barley pops ...they have the works. 
• Polka bands (or as they are colloquially known, "Oompah bands") provide entertainment as they churn the rhythm well into the wee morning hours. Prepare to sing, hop, and waltz along...and maybe even partake in the celebrated chicken dance!

In short, look forward to a Bavarian style party that's hopping with excitement and good times!

What not to miss at Oktoberfest Helen GA

There are a few "must-sees" during the celebration, in addition to all the wonderful food and drinks:

• The annual Oktoberfest Parade, held on the first Saturday of the season, featuring the official "Tapping of the Keg."
• The Festhalle, where lively Polka bands and communal eating tables provide the perfect drinking atmosphere.
• Hofer's of Helen, one of the longest operating German bakeries in the South. and other restaurants in Helen, GA.
• The square market in town, full of Bavarian charm.

For anyone looking to lose themselves in a wild, good-natured, fun-filled place, Oktoberfest Helen GA is the perfect time to do so.

 

 

  

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