Why an American Oktoberfest Region?
A large number of German immigrants and those from German-speaking countries immigrated to the United States and settled in this area. Rich with farmland, areas where grapes can be grown for wine production, and with bluffs and river bottoms that remind immigrants and travelers of some parts of Europe, the settlers with that rich heritage built their new homes and new lives in this region.
Many of the German immigrants celebrate the various festivals throughout the year. It is not uncommon to find Maifest, Kirchenfest/Kirchweihfest, Bundlfest, Oktoberfest, Weihnachtsfeier, Strassfest/Strassenfest and numerous other similarly named traditional German festivals. Some of the festivals are more related to those who grew up in Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia, Poland, and other European, Eastern European-Western Asian countries. Those traditions may come from the Danube Swabiens, the Bavarians, the Nordsee region peoples, those who lived in Prague, Vienna, Berlin, and hundreds of other cities and towns. So many of those traditions were brought to America --- and many, though not completely lost, are less visible in the 21st century. As a result, many of the cities and towns in Illinois and Missouri continue their outreach to the community by keeping in touch with the Germanic traditions through festivals.
Oktoberfest is one of the most visible festivals in the world. In Munich, where the tradition began, every year the world gathers for the biggest beer festival and celebration on the planet.
You will see ornate trachten, men in various lengths of lederhosen, ladies wearing their dirndl, as well as many styles of hats.
Almost universally, Oktoberfest is celebrated in September. Often it lasts into October outside Germany, and occasionally it continues in Munich until Oktober (as it did in 2011).
In the United States --- the American Oktoberfest Region is where the more traditional celebrations are held. Because it is the 21st century, the "party bands" are more of a focus than the 20th century oom-pah bands. But don't let that stop you from going because there ARE so many oom-pah bands out there that you will never stop hearing polkas, waltzes, marches, tangos, and all associated German music styles.
In Illinois and Missouri, the American Oktoberfest Region is where you go to enjoy Oktoberfest without spending a lot of time and money traveling to Europe. Organizers of these events bring the celebration - the fest - to the public in order to keep the German heritage alive.
Don't miss out on the entire Oktoberfest season. It runs throughout September and into October. Choose more than one festival and take the whole family on a fall vacation EVERY weekend. Make sure you allow yourself a budget for all the food and drinks. You won't be disappointed in Oktoberfest --- the Gemütlichkeit atmosphere is sure to make you happy and leave you with a song in your head.
[Photo courtesy of Bob Crowe - hopefully he will allow us to borrow a photo of personal friends in the Deutschmeister Brass Band]
Many of the German immigrants celebrate the various festivals throughout the year. It is not uncommon to find Maifest, Kirchenfest/Kirchweihfest, Bundlfest, Oktoberfest, Weihnachtsfeier, Strassfest/Strassenfest and numerous other similarly named traditional German festivals. Some of the festivals are more related to those who grew up in Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia, Poland, and other European, Eastern European-Western Asian countries. Those traditions may come from the Danube Swabiens, the Bavarians, the Nordsee region peoples, those who lived in Prague, Vienna, Berlin, and hundreds of other cities and towns. So many of those traditions were brought to America --- and many, though not completely lost, are less visible in the 21st century. As a result, many of the cities and towns in Illinois and Missouri continue their outreach to the community by keeping in touch with the Germanic traditions through festivals.
Oktoberfest is one of the most visible festivals in the world. In Munich, where the tradition began, every year the world gathers for the biggest beer festival and celebration on the planet.
You will see ornate trachten, men in various lengths of lederhosen, ladies wearing their dirndl, as well as many styles of hats.
Almost universally, Oktoberfest is celebrated in September. Often it lasts into October outside Germany, and occasionally it continues in Munich until Oktober (as it did in 2011).
In the United States --- the American Oktoberfest Region is where the more traditional celebrations are held. Because it is the 21st century, the "party bands" are more of a focus than the 20th century oom-pah bands. But don't let that stop you from going because there ARE so many oom-pah bands out there that you will never stop hearing polkas, waltzes, marches, tangos, and all associated German music styles.
In Illinois and Missouri, the American Oktoberfest Region is where you go to enjoy Oktoberfest without spending a lot of time and money traveling to Europe. Organizers of these events bring the celebration - the fest - to the public in order to keep the German heritage alive.
Don't miss out on the entire Oktoberfest season. It runs throughout September and into October. Choose more than one festival and take the whole family on a fall vacation EVERY weekend. Make sure you allow yourself a budget for all the food and drinks. You won't be disappointed in Oktoberfest --- the Gemütlichkeit atmosphere is sure to make you happy and leave you with a song in your head.
[Photo courtesy of Bob Crowe - hopefully he will allow us to borrow a photo of personal friends in the Deutschmeister Brass Band]
