Ocktoberfest 2009 in the Ohio Area

Oktoberfest is celebrated all over the world, though the celebration originated in Munich, Germany. At an Oktoberfest you will find celebrations full of life, happiness, food and lots of beer. The events take place in cities across the nation for two weeks in the late September and early October. Visitors will be surrounded by traditional attire and plenty of German food, like Hendl, Schweinsbraten, Haxn, Steckerlfisch and Wurtsel. All Oktoberfests will never go dry on the beer unless they don't offer it, since it's meant to be the main course during the celebrations. It is said that the beer consumption "exceeds a million gallons" (www.answers.com) at the Munich Oktoberfest each year.

If you are looking for a similar Munich Oktoberfest in the Ohio area, you might want to check out these towns events.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati offers an authentic Oktoberfest atmosphere for it's patrons and is the largest in Ohio. There are three different events scheduled in Cincinnati. One is offered by the Germania Society starting August 28th and ending August 30th, the Donauschwaben events on October 2nd through the 4th, and the Zinzinnati USA which starts on September 18th and finishes on September 20th 2009. You can visit these festivities in the downtown area and the cost is free to get in. During the Zinzinnati USA Oktoberfest, there will be an opening ceremony on the 18th, German games on the 19th, and a running of the wieners on the 20th. Visitors will be enlightened by plenty of polka dancing, food, and beer. The German ancestors in this town provide an excellent traditional events, and has more than 500,000 visitors each year to share their traditions with.

Minster, Ohio

Minster is considered a German town, and they love to celebrate their heritage by presenting events like the Oktoberfest. This Oktoberfest only lasts 3 days here, and it always starts on the first weekend of October. Since there is less than three thousand people who live in the town, it's hard to believe that they can accommodate more than 80,000 people each year. I wonder where they all park when everyone does the running races that fascinates people from all over the United States to come attend. This year the events start on October 2nd and ends on October 4th with the 10k race scheduled at 9:30 am at the Minster High School located at 100 East 7th Street. If you are interested in the 1 mile race, that starts at 9:35 am at the same place. You must preregister by September 27, and the cost is $3.00 each runner. There will be arts and craft events and a parade as well.

Barea, Ohio

Barea, located in the Cleveland area, offers spectacular Oktoberfest events in the Northeast Ohio area. The events will start on September 4th and last until the 7th at the Cuyahoga Fair Grounds. There will be free parking and free admission for children under 12 years old. Visitors will view spectacular images of authentic clothing, German beers, and lots of German foods. Some of the events scheduled include, the wiener dog race, dance and musical acts, classes to learn how to make a gingerbread house, and the sand sculpture of Hansel and Gretel. If you live in the area or even relatively close, like a couple of hours, it would be well worth it to check it out, maybe even take home an authentic German item or view some German antique and collectible cars.

Wilmington, Ohio

Wilmington offers a smaller Oktoberfest event in the St Columbkille church parking lot located on Mulberry Street. A little less traditional events, but still have the feel of Germany. There will be German foods available for purchase and some chicken dances, but there will be non traditional events like a Texas Hold'em Tournament, raffles, and American children fun and games.

Sources:

http://www.answers.com/topic/oktoberfest, www.answers.com

http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1710455&assetId=DF62426C-1157-40E2-B730-255565AF45FC, www.active.com

http://minsteroktoberfest.com/news.php, http://minsteroktoberfest.com

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/344951/oktoberfest_in_cincinnati.html?all=1

http://www.bereaoktoberfest.com/news.php, www.bereaoktoberfest.com

http://www.wilmingtonoktoberfest.org/, www.wilmingtonoktoberfest.org