Nothing says party like Oktoberfest, the largest public festival in the world, and it’s unlike any other holiday. No gifts are given and the event it was originally intended to commemorate is largely forgotten.
In fact, Oktoberfest is a holiday centered entirely on drinking copious amounts of beer and partying for weeks straight.As Oktoberfest celebrates it’s 200th anniversary, it seems only right to go back in the festivals colorful history all the way to its conception two centuries ago.
On Oct. 12, 1810, King Ludwig of Bavaria held the first Oktoberfest to celebrate his marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. He invited all of Munich, about 40,000 people in 1810, to gather on a large meadow to celebrate. According to history, there the people had so much fun they decided to have the festival every year.
Modernly, the festival is celebrated in traditional German fashion all over the world. And the formula stays the same generally: good people plus good beer plus good food equals major party time, German style.So if you’re looking for a new holiday to add to your year, look no further than Oktoberfest. The day has become an all-inclusive holiday that is by no means limited to German partygoers only. The South Bay holds several events each year. La Voz can’t provide the lederhosen and beer mugs, but we can point you in the right direction. Read below for a listing of this month’s events.
Teske’s Germania: A German restaurant with a pub in the front and a beer garden in the back, San Jose’s premier venue for good old-fashioned polka music is holding their Oktoberfest with special menus and live music from October 22-24. See www.teskes-germania.com for more information and dates.
Schroeder’s German Restaurant: Located in San Francisco, Schroeder’s is holding a Halloween polka party night on October 31. It may not be an official Oktoberfest, but it sure beats nothing at all.
In order to get into the Oktoberfest spirit, the staff at La Voz has complied a few German phrases to use at Oktoberfest
Where’s the bathroom = Wo ist die Toilette?
Can I get a beer? = Kann ich bitte ein Bier haben?
Can I get more beer? = Kann ich bitte mehr Bier haben?
Are you single today? = Bist du Heute single?
Please = Bitte schön
Thank you = Danke schön
Cheers = Prost
Where can I get schnitzel? = Wo gibts Schnitzel?
I’m drunk = Ich bin besaufen
I’m a bit tipsy = Ich bin angetrunken
I have a hangover = Ich habe einen Kater