Call Munich to mind with your own Oktoberfest bash
Various regions around the world are known for certain celebrations that attract crowds from near and far. New Orleans' French Quarter lights up in honor of Mardi Gras; the Carnival of Venice is an historic festival full of masked balls that takes place around this Italian city of canals; people dodge bulls in the streets of Pamplona, Spain during San Fermín; and for those who live for beer and dancing, there's no better place to be than Munich for Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest is an annual festival held over a two-week period. Despite what its name implies, the festival doesn't take place primarily in the month of October. Rather, Oktoberfest ends on the first Sunday in October. Oktoberfest commemorates the celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Modern celebrations feature beer and German food and attempt to reproduce a Bavarian sense of cordiality, according to Britannica.
While the largest Oktoberfest festival occurs in Germany, a number of communities across the globe with large German populations hold their own Oktoberfests modeled on the original. And anyone can host their own Bavarian bash at home with some planning and key items.
· Beer: Beer is the glue that holds the celebration together. Only beer from six main breweries in Munich are allowed to be served during the traditional Oktoberfest. Each brewery produces a special festbier exclusively for the celebration. For an authentic experience, serve beer from one of these breweries, which include Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten.
· German food: German sausages and traditional German pretzels should be on the menu for Oktoberfest parties. Find out if you can order sausages from a German meat market in your area. Additional foods to offer include potato pancakes and cheese boards. Don't forget the apple strudel for dessert.
· Red, black and yellow, or blue and white: Decorate the space in red, black and yellow, which are the colors of the German flag. You also can go with blue and white, which are the colors inspired by the Bavarian flag.
· Traditional attire: For gents, traditional lederhosen, which are leather short or knee-length breeches, can be worn for the celebration. Women will want to don a real dirndl dress that features a blouse under a cinched bodice and an A-line aproned skirt.
· Long tables: Don't overlook the communal spirit of the celebration, which means people sitting at long, large tables. Rent or invest in wooden tables that can seat the crowds.
· Tents: Set up tents to replicate the Oktoberfest beer tents in Munich. Add subtle streamers and flags as well as some string lights or lanterns for when the party continues into the evening.
· Festive music: Select a mix of oom-pah-pah, polka and classic military marches. Or choose from German pop hits, if desired. Of course, the party is yours, and as long as the music is upbeat, guests are sure to have a good time.
· Designated drivers: Since Oktoberfest is such a beer-heavy celebration, designated drivers and ride share services should be set up in advance to ensure all participants can arrive home safely after tapping their steins and yelling "Prost!"