Celebrate Oktoberfest in San Diego
It’s that time of year – the kids are back in school, the new TV shows have started, the leaves are starting to turn and there’s a nip in the air.
So, it’s time to celebrate Oktoberfest. It all began with a royal wedding on 12 October, 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Theresa of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Munich citizens were invited to attend and celebrate the festivities which were held on the fields in front of the city gates. The fields were renamed Theresienwiese in honor of the Crown Princess; today the locals have shortened the name “to Wiesn.” There were horse races held at the end of the event that was celebrated as a festival for all of Bavaria. A decision was made to repeat the horse races the following year and that gave us the tradition of Oktoberfest. Gradually beer booths started to appear and as years went by, a carousel and additional attractions were added to the annual festivities.
Traditionally Oktoberfest runs from the third weekend in September through the first Sunday in October. But, we’ve made it a time to have festivals honoring this event anytime from mid August to mid November. There are a few US cities which hold a spring and a fall Oktoberfest.
Munich, Germany has the largest festival of all and this year it runs from Sept. 22 to Oct. 3, 2006. This has become an international festival with thousands of visitors flocking to the city. There will be concerts and parades and games and roller coasters and fun for all ages.
San Diego, California will have its version of Oktoberfest put on by the German-American Societies of San Diego, on Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 and Oct. 7-Oct. 8. It will run from 12n – 10pm on Saturday and 12n-9pm on Sunday. It will be held at 1017 S. Mollison Avenue in El Cajon. Admission is $3 for anyone over 21. The military and anyone under the age of 21 will get free admission. Of course, there will be lots of selections of beer, along with German food, games, raffles and other entertainment. (Visit germanclubsofsandiego.com for more information.)
But – there is a surprise. There is another Oktoberfest in San Diego which has become so popular this year it’s been moved to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It will be held Oct.28-Oct.30, 2006. There will be games here also – the sausage toss, and some contests – the bratwurst eating content, and other. And, this is no ordinary sausage toss – they’re giving away a Hummer – trials will be held on Friday and Saturday with the finals on Sunday. They will crown a Miss Oktoberfest and have 40+ bands performing. And, of course, plenty of beer and German food. Ticket prices are $10 for anyone over 12, $5 for those 5 to 12, and free to children under 5. There will also be a 5k run on Sunday morning. The event ends on Friday and Saturday nights at 12m and on Sunday night it closes at 8pm.
A Mardi Gras Party to benefit the victims of Katrina will kick it all off on Friday night. A New Orleans band, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band will perform. There will also be a teenage “Battle of the Bands” on Friday night. On Saturday night, it’s the best Halloween Party in town. Dance to DJ Phobic spinning tunes from the 70’s and 80’s. There will be prizes for the best costume. In addition to carnival rides, there will be a rock climbing wall and games of skill. There will be karaoke contests for both kids and adults with the finale on Sunday night.
11 Master Brewers will be on hand, each providing two different beers. They will be in the Microbrew Hall where bands play all day and all night. Some of the brewers coming include the Mendocino Brewing Company (and I thought that was all wine country), the Kona Brewing Company and the Redhook Ale Brewery.
If you’re visiting from out of the area, be sure to make hotel/motel reservations way in advance. San Diego is a very popular destination.
Have a brewry good time.
