Oktoberfest and Oompah

Oktoberfest and Oompah bands go together like good German beer, German Sausage and good friends. Oktoberfest is a traditionally German festival with world-wide appeal. Every year millions, yes millions, of people enjoy Oktoberfest both in Germany and abroad.

The largest Oktoberfest celebrations are held in Munich the capital of Bavaria in Germany. And rightly so as this was the area where the original Oktoberfest celebrations took place. To examine the roots of this now mammoth extravaganza we must travel back to the start of the 1800's and the wedding union between Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to his bride the Princess Therese of Saxony-Hilburghausen in 1810. In-order to share in the couple's happiness, celebrations which included an agricultural fair, horse racing, food and beer were arranged to take place on grounds which became known as Theresenwiese which translates to Therese's fields. Through time, Oktoberfest has taken the local slang name 'Wies'n'.

During the late 1800s carousels and other fairground attractions started to be added and the humble beer stands started to be replaced by the huge beer tents that are such a feature of the modern day Oktoberfest. Today's Oktoberfest is almost as famous for the excess as it is as a celebration. Millions of litres of beer are drunk in the huge circus sized beer tents and latterly these have been sponsored by the major breweries serving their own labelled beer and providing entertainment and endless quantities of food. Nowadays it is not unusual to see the brewers advertising material alongside the traditional blue and white chequerboard decoration of Munich.

The beers of Oktoberfest nowadays are concentrated on two styles; Light beer or Pils which is referred to as Helles, the German word for light and the more traditional Oktoberfest darker beer or Dunkel, you've guessed it, the German word for darker. There is even a special Oktoberfest beer called Wiesnbier which is even darker and more potent than Dunkel.

All of these beers are traditionally served in a 1 litre stein, a traditional glass beer mug. Made from heavy glass to prevent too many breakages it is a sight to see the serving waitresses charging around the beer tents carrying numerous full steins in each hand. Definitely somebody you wouldn't want to get in the way of. It is usual to see these waitresses dressed in traditional costume.

A trip to the Munich Oktoberfest is a once in a lifetime event but for many those who will not make it, Oktoberfest will still be celebrated. There are thousands of local Oktoberfest celebrations being planned from small domestic parties through to whole town celebrations. If you don't know of one of these, plan your own. It's easy as many local stores and internet retailers have traditional German costumes and Oktoberfest decorations readily available. Some good quality beer, some pretzels, some sausage and some good friends - a perfect celebration.

Karnival Costumes stocks a huge selection of fancy dress costumes and accessories for Oktoberfest including many decorations and a range of party goods; go to: http://www.karnival-house.co.uk/acatalog/Oktoberfest_Fancy_Dress_Costumes.html or for any other party theme you may choose. Feel free to browse our website and purchase your costumes and accessories with confidence from one of the leading costume suppliers in the UK.

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Article submitted by: KV Sinclair. Keith Sinclair has over 35 years of business experience and in addition to being a part time University Lecturer on Business Studies, he is CEO of Cavalcade; a group of companies operating in the party sector. Cavalcade operates Karnival-House http//:http://www.karnival-house.co.uk one of the UK's leading internet Fancy Dress Retailers. With massive stocks for immediate dispatch and an ever expanding range, Karnival-House continues to strive simply to offer outstanding service combined with outstanding value.

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