This event is one of Denver’s longest running festivals and one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. This year’s Oktoberfest Denver will be held at Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood.
Denver’s Oktoberfest is modeled after Oktoberfest in Munich Germany. Festival attractions will include:
• German attractions
• Music from national touring groups
• Performances by international dancers
• Children’s activities
• Heritage booths selling German goods
• German décor
• Accordion concert
• Authentic cuisine
Admission is FREE. Guests may purchase tickets for food, bier and children’s activities.
Oktoberfest History
The Oktoberfest festival in Munich Germany began October 17, 1810 when Prince Ludwig I married Princess Therese from Saxony-Hildburghausen. Ludwig’s father, Maximilliam I hosted a wedding feast in a meadow on the outskirts of Munich to celebrate the marriage. At the wedding feast guests ate, drank and celebrated. The event was such a success that it became an annual tradition and one of the largest celebrations in Europe having more than 10 million people attend each year.
Oktoberfest Denver was founded by Larimer Square’s Oktoberfest, Hertha Thomas-Zagari, however, when she migrated from Germany to Colorado she had no plans of creating an Oktoberfest festival in Denver. Her focus in Denver was more on running her international importers shop on Larimer Square and skiing as she did in the Alps. In the fall of 1969 she became lonesome for her native country of Germany and so decided to have a small Oktoberfest of her own. She and her husband decided to sell cups of beer for 50 cents near the Larimer Square information booth. She did not realize she needed a permit to sell the beer. When this was discovered she began giving away the beers during this first Oktoberfest on Larimer Square, and plans for the following year were underway.
The next year, Hertha and her husband, Fred grew the event and soon it was a must have festival each year with the local German community as well as others who enjoyed having a good time on Larimer Square on an autumn day. Oktoberfest Denver is now attended by over a quarter-million people each year and has been going on now for 35 years.
The annual Denver Oktoberfest is scheduled to take place October 5, 6 and 7 of this year. Friday’s festival is from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Saturday is 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Sunday is NOON to 6:00 p.m.
There will be a Karneval that features an array of rides, amusements, and classic midway games for adults and children. The Karneval is just like in Munich, open throughout the evening.
Friday, October 5, enjoy a Rock Stage Performance, Release, 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and on Saturday there is a Rock Stage Performance, Something Underground, 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Sunday’s entertainment includes:
• Two special performances by Denver Arts Week participants at the Oktoberfest Rock Stage
• Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra at 1:00 p.m.
• Hannah Kahn Dance Company at 3:30 p.m.
German performances:
• Friday, October 5 is Rick Borger & the Average German Band from 5:00p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the Rheinlanders from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
• Saturday, October 6, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. TBA; 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Maroon Bells; 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Marron Bells; 2:00 p.m. to 5:00p.m. Steve Rock and Seine Tanzkapelle; 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. One World Folk Dancers; 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. One World Folk Dancers; 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Austrian Connection; 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Jim Ehrlich & the Polka Mates
• Sunday, October 7 is Rick Borger & The Average German Band 12:00p.m. to 2:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Maroon Bells; 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. TEV Edelweiss Schuhplattlers; 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jim Ehrlich & the Polka Mates; 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. TEV Edelweiss Schuhplattlers
Food and drinks include:
• Cuisine true to the German heritage that includes several different types of bratwurst, apple strudel, schnitzel, giant pretzels, and sauerbraten.
• Drinks will be Paulaner Oktoberfest, Paulaner Hefweizen, Coors, Coors Light, Mikes Hard Lemonade, and Pepsi Products
If you enjoy a German Oktoberfest, the Denver Oktoberfest is the next best thing to the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. Plan to add this destination to your vacation ideas.
Source: Oktoberfest on Larimer Street
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© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved
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