Oktoberfest 3
Oktoberfest in Amerika
German-American Celebrations and Customs
Das Hofbräuhaus in Las Vegas und Cincinnati
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Oktoberfest in Amerika
Next to the Christmas tree, Oktoberfest is the most popular German custom that Germany has ever exported to the rest of the world. The German (actually Bavarian) celebration of beer and good times has gradually caught on in many parts of the world. Today there are Oktoberfests (Oktoberfeste) from Japan to America.
It's not surprising that in the USA and Canada, with their high percentages of people of German heritage, there are hundreds of local Oktoberfest celebrations. There are far too many to list here, but we will talk a little about the North American Oktoberfests—plus when and where you can find them, literally from Maine to California.
First of all, few of the American Oktoberfests follow the schedule of the original. You can attend a US Oktoberfest at various times and in various places from June to November! Dover, New Jersey holds its Oktoberfest twice a year (in June and September). Most other US Oktoberfests take place in September and October, often sponsored by a local German society or restaurant. The bigger US Oktoberfests run for days or weeks, like the original. Cincinnati, Ohio even has two! The Donauschwaben Oktoberfest is a three-day affair in October, while the other, Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati attracts 500,000 visitors in September. The new Las Vegas Hofbräuhaus sponsors a two-week Oktoberfest during October. (More below.)
See the Oktoberfest links below for more about American Oktoberfests.
Das Hofbräuhaus: Cincinnati and Las Vegas
Launched in December 2003, the Hofbräuhaus in Las Vegas, Nevada is an authentic replica of the original HB in Munich, under license from the Bavarian Staatliches Hofbräuhaus. Even before the Las Vegas HB building was completed, the owners sponsored an Oktoberfest in a nearby parking lot from October 10 to 26, 2003. In 2004 the Oktoberfest at the HB Las Vegas ran from September 18 to October 31, but the slogan for HB Las Vegas is "Every Day's Oktoberfest!"
Excerpts from the Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas Web site: “In 2000 Stefan Gastager, upon a visit to Las Vegas, had a vision. To introduce high quality Bavarian Food, Premium Beer brewed in Bavaria and Bavarian coziness 'Gemütlichkeit' to the United States at a location that would both appeal to tourists and locals alike...
Las Vegas, the leading entertainment capital of the world, was chosen as the ideal location for the Hofbräuhaus because of both the highest number of tourists in the world and a local multicultural population of over 1.4 million residents.
Stefan and his partners were able to secure the license from the Bavarian Government Brewery Hofbräu and a perfect partner for the necessary investment of almost $12 million...”
Hofbräuhaus - Las Vegas (Web)
An authentic replica of the HB Munich opened in December 2003.
Das Hofbräuhaus Cincinnati/Newport
A similar HB replica stands just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio in Newport, Kentucky. It was also established in 2003. Cincinnati, with its large German-American population, holds two Oktoberfest events each year. (See the Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati Web site.)
Hofbräuhaus - Newport (Web)
This authentic replica of the HB Munich opened in 2003 - a few months before the one in Las Vegas.
MORE > Oktoberfest 1 > Oktoberfest 2 > US Oktoberfests
North American Oktoberfest Links
Oktoberfests in America
A comprehensive list (with links) of U.S. cities with Oktoberfest celebrations, listed by date. From Aviso.
Oktoberfest, Anaheim, CA
Oktoberfest during September and October: "Unterhaltung für die ganze Familie! Sponsored by the Phoenix Club German cultural center in Orange County.
Oktoberfest in Canada
Twin cities Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario hold an Oktoberfest in October.
Oktoberfest, Fredericksburg, TX
Oktoberfest Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2005.
Oktoberfest, Huntington Beach, CA
Oktoberfest Sept. 11 - Oct. 30, 2005.
Oktoberfest, New Ulm, MN
Oktoberfest held on two October weekends.
Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati
Cincinnati has two Oktoberfests! It also claims to have the "largest, most authentic Oktoberfest" in the US - in September.
NEXT > October-November customs and celebrations
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