Oktoberfest is coming up, but do you know what it’s all about? This huge annual event has a lot of history, and it has grown so much that it is celebrated across the world, even in Georgia. If you want to have a fun-filled time and experience Germany without having to leave the country, then Oktoberfest in Helen GA is the place to go. Before you head off though, take a moment to learn a little about the history of Oktoberfest.
History of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest, also known to German locals as “die Wiesn,” first began back on October 12, 1810. It started as a wedding celebration in honor of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in Munich, Germany. The wedding couple invited all of the citizens of the town to celebrate with them through the various festivities they had planned. This festival continued for two weeks.
Over the years more events have been added to the festival. Each year the festival kicks off with a parade, and until 1960, it always concluded with a horse race in which the Royal Family attended. During the festival, they also included an agricultural show every four years to promote Bavarian agriculture. They also began having carnival booths with luxury prizes such as jewelry, silver, and porcelain. Adding to the festivities were games of skittles and climbing trees in the beer booths. People also enjoyed dancing to live German music played around them.
Oktoberfest is well known for its food and beer. It has primarily become a celebration of beer. However, this did not become a large part of the festivities until 1892 when first served to visitors in glass mugs. Bratwurst began being sold in booths a few years earlier in 1881. Throughout the years Oktoberfest has experienced many changes to its festivities by adding more and improving others, making it into the famous festival, it is today.
Oktoberfest Today
Today, more than 6 million people travel from around the world to attend the Oktoberfest each year in Germany. The festivities begin with a 12 gun salute, and a shout of “Ozapft is!” (It’s tapped!”). At 12:00, as the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg of Oktoberfest beer. An enormous amount of beer is consumed over the next 16 days of the festival, equaling close to 7 million liters.
Along with the German beer, visitors happily dance to live music that continually plays. Then, there is also the food. Traditional foods are served such as bratwurst, chicken, grilled ham hock and roast pork. There are also pretzels, potato dumplings, spiced cheese-butter spread and much more.
Germans wear authentic costumes such as Sennerhut, Lederhosen, and Dirndl throughout the festival. However, visitors who come to Oktoberfest typically wear Bavarian hats made out of goat hair, which has a high value in Germany. In fact, the more goat hair you have on your hat, the wealthier you appear.
Oktoberfest in Helen GA
The residents of Helen GA began their Oktoberfest tradition back in 1970. Helen GA is the ideal place for such a festival, as the town has been transformed to look similar to a German town that you would see in the Bavarian Alps. You’ll enjoy German-style buildings, cobblestone streets and a variety of shops which specialize in German foods and materials. This re-creation was a decision made by the town’s business leaders and the community at a time when it was experiencing a major economic downfall. After the completion of the transformation, Helen quickly became a tourist destination. Significantly adding to its appeal was the addition of Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest begins each year with a traditional parade complete with musicians and dancers wearing native costumes. The festivities continue with authentic German food and fun dances such as Polkas, Waltzes, and even the Chicken dance. There is also live music played each day from different german-like bands from across the nation. These include Alpen Musikanten, the Chardon Polka Band, Mountain Top Polka Band and the Heimatland Musikanten. Of course, there is also the Marzen beer and plenty of it to go around.
As you enter Oktoberfest in Helen GA, come prepared for gemütlichkeit! For those who don’t speak German, that means an activity that brings you to a cheerful mood. That is what Oktoberfest is all about. It’s a celebration, assured to bring a fun time and cheerfulness. It is not just the beer that brings on this mood. It’s the music, the dancing and the loud and happy atmosphere.
Come to Oktoberfest to experience gemütlichkeit, German style. If this will be your first time at Oktoberfest, what are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below.
And with Oktoberfest in Helen quickly approaching
The Cedar Creek Cabin Rentals team wants to make sure you get informed with everything you need about the festival.
