Celebrate Oktoberfest in Zinzinnati (Cincinnati), Ohio in 2009

When I first moved to Cincinnati, I had no clue why this city puts on the largest Oktoberfest celebration in North America or how it could possibly be the second largest worldwide (only second to the real thing in Munich, Germany). I quickly learned about the rich German heritage of Cincinnati and I personally think it's great that when a city celebrates that history...and adding some delicious food and local beer doesn't hurt, either.

If you live in Cincinnati or just need an excuse for drinking beer and eating fattening food, come and visit Oktoberfest 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Admission is free and you can enjoy the festivities on Saturday, September 19 from 11:00 am to midnight and Sunday, September 20 from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.

In case you are confused, the event is called "Oktoberfest" even though it actually takes place in September. The event in Cincinnati was modeled after the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany; the authentic event in Germany starts in September.

The 2009 Cincinnati Oktoberfest event is sponsored by Samuel Adams, which makes sense. Oktoberfest is largely a beer festival, so why wouldn't it be sponsored by a beer company?! While Sam Adams is tasty, it's not the only beer you can find. While you're celebrating, you should also try some of the Cincinnati locally-brewed beers (like Moerlein's OTR) and some German classics as well. For the non-beer drinkers, there are margaritas, daiquiris, and bottled malt beverages. And you don't have to drink alcohol to wet your whistle. Water and soda are also available.

The 2009 Oktoberfest celebration will be held in its usual location, which spans the majority of downtown Cincinnati. Some of the roads will be closed for the visitors to be able to wander around, so plan accordingly if you need to commute somewhere in the city.

And now, it's time for my trusty list of the "Top 5 Reasons to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2009."

Top 5 Reasons to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2009: It's Free!
That's right. If you just want to spend a day out in the sun in the heart of Fall and enjoy watching a bunch of beer guzzling folks of all ages dance the Chicken Dance, you can do it for free. There are no admission fees to get in to Cincinnati's Oktoberfest.

Top 5 Reasons to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2009: Polka

Of course, there are other bands and styles of music represented, but nothing is more fun than watching guys in lederhosen play instruments while the townsfolk dance through the street with chicken hats on their heads. No matter how much you think you hate polka music, I dare you to try and walk through the mass of polka bands at Oktoberfest without cracking a smile.

Top 5 Reasons to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2009: Beer and Food

There is quite an assortment of beers available at Cincinnati's Oktoberfest celebration. Whether you want to try something German or stick to something simple like a Bud Light, a vendor will certainly have it. A sampling of the food items available includes: mettwurst, bratwurst, pretzels with bier cheese, fried pickles, and goetta. Many of Cincinnati's favorite restaurants set up vendor stations, so you can sample Montgomery Inn's ribs or Skyline Chili in addition to the festival food. I've never had anything that wasn't delicious and I always eat way too much. (You may want to bring along some Tums.)

Top 5 Reasons to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2009: Support the City

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber estimates that over 500,000 people attend Cincinnati's Oktoberfest each year, making it the largest Oktoberfest event in North America. With a weakened economy, is important to boost the local business sales in any way possible - it's much more fun to do when food and beverages are involved.

Top 5 Reasons to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2009: Family Fun

It may sound strange to take children to a festival where lots of people drink beer and dance around in chicken hats, but there are a variety of activities for families as well as adults. Besides spinning around on the carnival rides, what kid doesn't like to dance to live music? When the Chicken Dance is played numerous times throughout the day, the kids will have plenty of opportunities to dance away all their energy...which should wear them down nicely so they will sleep well at night!

My final word on the matter...PLEASE: If you do attend Cincinnati's Oktoberfest 2009, drink responsibly and make sure you have a designated driver, a cab ride home, or a room booked at a nearby hotel. This is supposed to be a fun event, so don't ruin it for yourself or anyone else...including me, because I will be there!

Source Consulted:

Cincinnati Regional Chamber