O’zapft is !
Yes, its time again for Oktoberfest! But it’s only September you may say…
That’s correct. And originally Oktoberfest had actually been in October, precisely on October 17, 1810. On that day the royal Bavarian newlyweds, crown prince 
Ludwig von Bayern and princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, got honored with a royal horse race on the “Wiesn” (Munich’s Theresienwiese). This horse race was also the highlight of the weeklong wedding festivities .
From that time on the horse race event turned into a yearly “Volksfest”, a public festival, which eventually got moved to late September instead of October. Over the years the event became bigger, and eateries and fun rides were added. The duration of the event got extended as well, from one day to several days to the now two weeks of Oktoberfest.
Custom is, that the last week of the two-week Oktoberfest is still in October!
Today Munich’s Oktoberfest is the biggest “Volksfest” (public festival) in the world and attracts about six million visitors yearly!
Oktoberfest in California
Celebrating Oktoberfest doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be in Munich. One can find some kind of Oktoberfest version almost anywhere these days. This is also the case for California, where Oktoberfest festivities are happening up and down the State.
Here are some suggestions, that were brought to our attention. An extensive listing of Oktoberfest sites can be found here.
Now get out your Dirndl and Lederhosen and …auf geht’s!
The GACC Oktoberfest in San Francisco
The German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) will bring Germany’s most famous fest to the Bay Area again this year – September 25, 2014!
Join in for an authentic evening with delicious German food and Hofbräu beer provided by San Francisco’s restaurant Speisekammer. The Oktoberfest bands Blow Music! and Bayern Maiden will rock the house again!
You can buy Schmankerl Tickets for $55 that will treat you to Pretzel, Schweinebraten (Roasted pork in beer sauce) or Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and potato salad. One litre of beer is included, and you can keep the Masskrug (1l beer mug) as a souvenir !
The other option is a beer ticket admission for $25, that will treat you to 0.5 l of beer including the mug to take home.
WHEN: September 25, 2014 | 5 – 10 pm
WHERE: Fort Mason, Conference Center (Building A)
TICKETS: Available on the GACC website, or click here
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Los Angeles OKTOBERFEST
Los Angeles Oktoberfest ® will open its doors again this year for a two-day event, October 4 & 5 at the Beverley Hills Country Club.
Enjoy live entertainment from Bavarian Dancers to a Stein Holding Contest and much more. Traditional food and beer will be available for purchase while lively tunes and leading sing-along’s of old time drinking songs will keep you going.
At the opening ceremony city officials will welcome everyone with the traditional Tapping of the Keg. This Bavarian custom will officially tap the first keg of German beer by hammering a wooden mallet with a bronze spout into the keg — and then…”O’zapft is!”
General Admission is $35 per person ( 1liter glass stein, and 1 fill up with your favorite beer)
Tickets to this event are available here. All monies raised will benefit local charities Vista Del Mar & Chill Los Angeles.
WHEN: October 4th & 5th, 2014
WHERE: Beverly Hills Country Club, 3084 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064
TICKETS: Available at LAoktoberfest.com or click here
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Oakland Nature Friends & Tourist Club Oktoberfest
Oakland Nature Friends and Tourist Club hosts its Oktoberfest, Sunday October 5th, from 12-6pm.
This is a fabulous family event. In addition to all the fun, food, drink, live music, and dancing of Oktoberfest, there will also be hikes, horseshoes and yodeling this year, and additional games, dances, and other activities especially for our younger members and guests.
There is something for everyone of all ages at the Oakland Nature Friends’ Oktoberfest!
Tickets to the event are sold on the Club’s website and are $10 ( plus $0.75 online processing fee) for adults. Children under 14 are FREE.
WHEN: Sunday, October 5, 2014 • 12pm – 6pm
WHERE: 3115 Butters Drive, Oakland, California
TICKETS: Available at the Club’s website or click here
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Photos: München.de, GACC, LaOktoberfest, Oakland Nature Friends & Tourist Club