German Cuisine and Oktoberfest free essay sample

Festival of Fun Before winter wraps a white blanket on the lands, a final celebration is in session for October all over the world. This is the time to eat, drink, and be merry: Oktoberfest. The tradition began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. The location was named Theresienwiese, meaning Theresa’s fields; locals usually refer to them as just â€Å"Wies’n. Festivities occurred on these fields in front of the city gates and continued for sixteen days. The original event at Oktoberfest was a horse race (Saunders, 2007). Each year afterwards, different additions were made such as adding an agricultural show (The History of Oktoberfest, 2007). Throughout the years, the activities accumulated to carousels, swings, tree-climbing competitions, wheelbarrow and sack races, mush eating contests, barrel rolling races and goose chases. In 1908, Oktoberfest even included a roller coaster. At first, beer kiosks were places all around the festival area. In 1896, the small beer kiosks were replaced by large beer halls, which were sponsored by the local breweries (Vistawide, 2008). Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival celebrated annually in Munich, Germany, and includes traditional activities, beer, food, dance, music, and dress. The time of Oktoberfest is important to the whole city of Munich. The Mayor begins the festivities on the first day at noontime. The fun begins officially after he taps into a wooden barrel of beer and proclaims, â€Å"O’zapft is,† meaning, â€Å"It’s tapped! A massive parade takes place on the first Sunday of the festival. The procession includes 7000 performers including groups dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing, historical uniforms, marching bands, riflemen, horses and livestock, carriages and parade floats. On Oktoberfest’s second Sunday, four-hundred musicians comprising the Oktoberfest bands perform concerts (Vistawide, 2008). Many traditional beers are enjoyed at Oktoberfest. A particular type is called Marzen and contains up to 6% alcohol. It is bottom-fermented and lagered for at least 30 days. Other beer is also available – â€Å"Agustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrau Lowenbrau, Paulaner and Spaten are the traditional German brewers of Oktoberfest, since all brew or bottle beer within the city limits of Munich† (Saunders, 2007). Each beer costs about 7. 50 euros and traditionally is served by a one-liter mug called a Ma?. Servers at Oktoberfest must be able to carry 10 of these mugs at a time (Vistawide, 2008)! Oktoberfest is also a style of beer served at the events. It can be described as an â€Å"amber-gold lager, robust at 5. to 6 percent alcohol by volume, bottom-fermented and lagered for at least a month, with pronounced malt flavors from Vienna malts, usually accented by the German noble hobs such as Hallertau and Tettnang† (Saunders, 2007). Traditional German foods are eaten in massive proportions at any Oktoberfest. These foods include Hendl, which are whole chickens that are grilled whole then split and served in halves. Duck, goose, roasted meats such as pork are served as well. Some more unusual foods served are potato dumplings, red cabbage, roasted ox tails and grilled pork knuckles. Veal sausages known as Wei? urste are served, usually with mustard, sauerkraut, and a pretzel or bread roll. A seafood item can also be found called Steckerlfisch, a grilled fish on a stick. Desserts are also favored among the people (Vistawide, 2008). Oktoberfest is not only celebrated in Munich, Germany, but also in different communities all over the world. A proper example would be Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Oktoberfest. This event was even named one of the best German food festivals in the U. S. by Bon Appetit magazine. After enjoying authentic German food and beer, participants may perform a chicken dance on top of a picnic table. In Tulsa, carnival rides, arts and crafts, clowns and root ‘bier’ for children is available. For people who are older or disabled, a shuttle service is provided for convenience. The Tulsan Oktoberfest claims to be the official birthplace of the chicken dance. In 1981, a German group called Heilbronn Band came to Tulsa and played a song called â€Å"Der Ententaz,† meaning â€Å"duck dance. † They could not find a duck costume to accompany the song, but managed to find a chicken suit, and this spawned the chicken dance tradition. Along with being a fun filled getaway, the Tulsa Oktoberfest has raised over $785,000 in donations for Tulsa’s River Parks. Annually, more than 60,000 people attend the festival (Aspinwal, 2007). An Oktoberfest celebration in Cheyenne, WY has included Americanized carnival food to the variety by serving nachos, hamburgers, hot dogs and Sno Cones. They also performed activities with a Western influence such as a Gunslingers show. Another domestic influence is in the addition of American beers to the selection such as Coors, Coors Light, Budweiser, Bud Light and Samuel Adams. Temporary tattoos may be found at different kiosks. Local arts vendors also participate in the Cheyenne Oktoberfest by selling their wares. As part of the fun, a stein holding competition occurs as well (Cotton, 2006). In Mifflinburg, PA, part of the Oktoberfest entertainment includes traditional dancing and performances from The Black Run Bohemian Dancers. Festivities also include a keg toss, mug lifting contest, hayrides, puppet shows, and hot-air balloon rides (Smith, 2007). In Saxapahaw, NC a strong southern influence is evident in the music. Bluegrass, blues, swing, folk, and old-time music is performed using various instruments including banjoes, mandolins, fiddles, dobro, lap steel, harmonica, and even spoons. Farmers often bring their harvest including organically grown vegetables, farm-raised meats, cheeses, and baked goods (Chapel Hill News, 2007). Most frequently, traditional German music is played at any Oktoberfest. Folk music, polkas and oompah music can be heard continuously. The term â€Å"oom-pah† refers to the downbeats played by bass or tuba and their accompaniments which create a rhythmic melody. European band music is often played and the performers model their group after the 19th and 20th century Prussian and Austrian military bands. These bands are often very big due to multitude of instruments used. Two flugelhorns provide melody and harmony, tenorhorn provides countermelody, a euphonium doubles countermelody and provides afterbeat and bass lines. Trombone, tuba and French horn emit afterbeats (Cole, 2008). In order to dress properly for Oktoberfest, one must include key components in their wardrobe. There are very many pieces of traditional German clothing that include a dirndl, lederhosen, tracht, and gamsbart. A dirndl is a dress worn by women traditionally from the Southern area of Germany. Throughout history, each village would have their own version of he ornate dirndl dress. Originally though, it was worn by Austrian servants. This dress includes the body which is a skirt worn with a blouse and apron. Typically, a knot on the apron of the dirndl signifies that the woman is married. Lederhosen mean â€Å"leather trousers† in German. Historically, these knee breeches were worn by men of the Alpine regions of Germany. Typical featured of these trousers include suspenders and front flaps. The Bavarian lederhosen were worn in the mountains of South Germany and were usually worn by horseback riders or hunters. A tracht is a similar less ornate version of a dirndl, usually made from linen. The gamsbart is a tuft of hair (which could also be replaced with a feather) that is attached to the top of the traditional trachten hat. The gamsbart tufts out like a brush from the hat. Originally it was placed only on hats, but today it is used to decorate other clothing as well. Throughout German history, people from the lower strata of society wore clothes with bleak colors such as shades of gray, brown, and black. On holidays, shades of blue were worn. At the advent of the industrial revolution, factory made outfits introduced a variety of colors, and this is clear in the style of dirndls that exist today (Lad, 2008). Beginning in 1810 in Munich, Germany, the tradition of Oktoberfest has now spread through many regions, reaching a global level. The celebration can be enjoyed by anyone in the world, but the German spirit will still exist because the traditions and cultural beliefs keep it alive. At Oktoberfest, one must be ready to indulge in mouthwatering food and wash it down with strong specialty beer. Those that are most enthusiastic wear complete traditional outfits for the celebration. This is chance for people to leave all the worries of their life behind and just have fun.