Comparing the German fest to the Kentlands festival; the first in a two part series
What was this place Germany like? What made it worth going to for 20 years? What exactly was the Oktoberfest and just why was their chocolate so much better than Hershey's?
Well, this year marked the 200th anniversary and as it was my dad's last year attending, he decided to let me tag along to see what all the fuss was about.
Prior to take off, my dad sat me down and lifted the veil that was all my Oktoberfest misconceptions.
The festival takes place during the sixteen days up to and including the first Sunday in October. It is not a festival that has anything to do with the actual month, but King Ludwig's marriage to a commoner.
These tents we were staying in? They are not actual tents but giant wooden structures built and ripped down every year by the German beer companies that host the event.
Armed with my new knowledge I felt prepared; I was not.
Walking into the worlds largest fair with 100,000 visitors in just one day I was overwhelmed by the sights and smells. This fair's fare was packed with hundreds of places to drop by for hearty traditional eats such as Hendl (chicken), Schweinsbraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (ham hock}, Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Würstl (sausages), and the Bavarian Weisswurst (a white sausage), these salted meats are staples here.
Oh so sorry vegetarians; you might want to stay in the states for this holiday.
As for sides I am all about the cabbage! Red or white it's nothing like the stuff back home. The German take produces a taste with infinitely less vinegar bite. Served lukewarm it melts in your mouth.
Now I like to think I'm quite the foodie. So when someone offered me some, Radieschen, I figured, "What the heck. It's not every day I get to go to Germany."
Salted radishes are not for everyone, but a light treat after heavy meats pairs well with the beer.
Of course, the main event to this festival was the beer. German liquids only beware; they taste so good I was tempted to empty my glass. The alcohol content ranged from 5.8 to 6.3% alcohol by volume and came by the liter. So to avoid becoming a Bierleichen or Beer Corpse I took some sage advice from my dear old dad.
"Kate," he said, "Keep in mind this festival is a marathon, not a sprint. It's not like some college party or something."
Advice duly noted, I was able to enjoy to the fullest extent the beer, the food, and the amazing German affinity for table dancing. All thanks to the key advise, of go at your own pace and enjoy the sights and sounds.
Although certain sounds struck me as a bit out of place and after 2 days of listening to German bands repeatedly play American tunes such as "Sweet Caroline" and "Country Roads", I finally had to ask.
"Why do you guys like this music? Of all the music to play, why this?"
Fully decked out in lederhosen with a thick German accent a fellow Oktoberfester replied, "Because, this is good music."
Good music, that goes well with good people, good food, and good beer.
So, if you are looking for a good time stumble on over to Germany for a liter or five. Don't forget to Chow down on some emperor's nonsense with apple mush (a pancake with spiced apples and powdered sugar), hop on 100ft high spinning swings, and PROST.
But what if you can't find a sitter, flights are too expensive, and perhaps the ambiance of one of the world's biggest parties isn't quite what you are looking for?
The Kentland's is hosting their 19th annual festival this Sunday from noon to 4. This Oktoberfest, hosted by the city of Gaithersburg, has a German band, German food, performances, and hay rides.
So this Sunday I will be hopping in my car, buckling my seatbelt and, sans jetlag, seeing what this festival has to offer.
Of course I will be attending once again with my dear old dad, but this time my little sisters might even tag along. Judging by the by the fact that not many adults paint pumpkins these day by themselves I imagine this Oktoberfest will be a bit more for the whole family.
Good clean family fun can still fun though, right?
Source: Bethesda Patch
URL: http://bethesda.patch.com/articles/from-maryland-to-munich-a-local-visits-oktoberfest
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