Oktoberfest celebrates more than Beer
Charley Reed
Issue date: 9/30/08 Section: Arts & Leisure
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But, if you are like a majority of Americans, the word simply means "beer."
What most people don't know is the rich history Oktoberfest has in its native land of Germany.
Starting in 1810 in Munich, Oktoberfest was originally a multi-day party to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. The party included horse racing, food, dancing and, yes, drinking. Everybody enjoyed the party so much that the couple held the event again, then again and again.
Eventually, the celebration was moved closer to the middle of September to coincide with harvest time. It has since grown into the largest Volksfest (people's fair) in the world, regularly drawing more than 5 million people each year.
Oktoberfest's importance to German history and culture isn't unique, but it's something that is hard to find a comparison to in America.
While it's too late to plan a visit to Munich for this year's Oktoberfest, which started Sept. 20, there are many Oktoberfest-style events occurring in Omaha.
The Metro was host to two large events over the past two weekends, one held by the German-American Society of Omaha and the other held by the Crescent Moon, epitomizing what Oktoberfest is all about.
The German-American Society's two-day event, which drew around 3,000 people, included live music, dancing, authentic German cuisine and, of course, beer.
Frank Freihaut, entertainment director for the German American Society, said in the seven years he has been with the organization, he has fallen in love with the cultural aspects of Oktoberfest.
"I'm a fourth or fifth-generation American," Freihaut said. "As I dive back into my German ancestry, it's kind of neat seeing that culture and learning about it and being able to share that with the rest of Omaha and Nebraska."
Barry Boyce is the founding member and namesake of a three-piece polka band that played both Oktoberfest events. He also highlighted the importance of culture to the festival atmosphere.
"The music is a big part of it; and the food especially," Boyce said. "They've always got some type of German food. Not everyone likes the different flavorings you put in it, but there's always something you can pick out of it that you like."
That's not to say that beer isn't a big part of the event atmosphere. Every fall, numerous beer companies like Sam Adams and Becks put out "Oktoberfest" style beers which are typically in the German Märzen style. At the Oktoberfest celebration, many German beer companies like Spaten, Warsteiner, Palauner and others will sponsor their own tents.
At Crescent Moon's Oktoberfest celebration, which was in its seventh year, there were eight authentic German beers on tap which could be purchased in a plastic cup or in one of several types of glassware available for purchase.
Crowds of more than 6,000 have come to the Crescent Moon in the past several years. Outside the bar, there were tents featuring live music, dancing and even the Husker game. Inside, patrons enjoyed the Crescent Moon's authentic German bier hall called Huber Haus. The bier hall had numerous German beers to purchase.
Freihaut said it's understandable for most people to associate beer with Oktoberfest.
"Even the Germans will profess how many kegs of beer or how many liters of beer get sold during Oktoberfest over there," he said.
But a focus on beer doesn't mean you don't have to be old enough to drink to have a good time.
"All ages come out and have a good time during Oktoberfest," Boyce said. "During the year, we have a much older crowd at our regular dances and things; but when Oktoberfest comes around, all ages come out and have a good time."
While there are still some festival events planned for the next week in Iowa and Missouri, Omaha's Oktoberfest season is essentially over. If you missed this year's events, don't worry: people like Freihaut and Boyce are already planning for 2009.
"We're trying to put some big plans together for next year," Freihaut said. "It's our 125th anniversary, so we're really going to be celebrating big next year."
While it may seem a long way away, it won't be long before the temperature gets colder and the Oktoberfest beers start hitting the shelves.
Until then, prost!
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