Local News
By Reshelle Bihasa, Staff Writer
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, one of the largest German folk festivals, took over Sawyer Point last weekend.
The celebration is known for its traditional Bavarian folk music, parades, giant pretzels, Tracht (German attire), beer and more. This celebration attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and is the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the U.S.
In Cincinnati, there are more than 80 booths and vendors to buy food, souvenirs, and drinks. Not only are people able to celebrate Bavarian culture but they are also able to raise money for a helpful cause. Many booths help support charities and local nonprofits, helping support the community.
“My favorite part about Oktoberfest is working at the booth and raising money for animal shelters, ” a booth employee at “Stoop Dayz Hard Soda” said.
Oktoberfest began in Munich, Germany in 1810 to celebrate the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Theresa of Saxony-Hildburghausen. As a result of the wedding’s success, this event became a yearly tradition. Oktoberfest has since expanded across the globe, as Bavarians moved around.
Stoop Dayz Hard Soda was one of many booths present at the event.
Oktoberfest has many bands that come to perform, including The Everyday People Band and Uberland Band. The performances are filled with a lively, festive atmosphere that many individuals come to enjoy. The soundtrack of Oktoberfest’s cheer helps to bring people of all ages together. Many people dance along to the music as well as enjoy the delicious food. The Everyday People Band performed songs such as “Billie Jean” by Micheal Jackson as well as other jazz songs and other modern sing-along favorites, featuring drums and the saxophone.
Many traditions include the chicken dance, parades, the dachshund derby, and stein-holding competitions. There is a bratwurst eating competition where contestants race to eat as many sausages as they can. A few of the more notable winners of the bratwurst eating contest include Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, with his record of eating 68 bratwursts within 10 minutes as of 2021. In 2022, Geoffrey “Geoff” Esper also ate 76 bratwursts in 10 minutes. Along with the bratwursts, a popular food item sold is cheese curds.
Cheese curds, one of the meals festivalgoers could look forward to at Oktoberfest.
“The cheese curds are the best I have ever had in my life” Abigail Judy, sophomore business management and marketing major said.
Another thing special about Oktoberfest is the fashion. Many men wear lederhosen, which are leather shorts with suspenders, and women wear dirndls, traditional dresses with aprons to celebrate Bavarian folk culture and southern German heritage. Still, people are welcome to join the fun in whatever attire they choose.
