Is There Oktoberfest in Cincinnati?

Is There Oktoberfest in Cincinnati?

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In the United States, many states celebrate the German food and drink festival, Oktoberfest.  Whether you are a foodie or love drinking, Oktoberfest has something for you.

If you love culture and want to experience German culture, you can attend any of these Oktoberfest festivals. Is there Oktoberfest in Cincinnati?  Yes, I have attended the Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, and it was an amazing weekend festival for me.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati has become an annual weekend festival in Cincinnati, which attracts thousands of visitors from different parts of the country.

Is there Oktoberfest in Cincinnati?

Yes, there is Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, based on the original German Oktoberfest. In addition, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is regarded as the second largest in the world and the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States.

Is There Oktoberfest in Cincinnati?
Is There Oktoberfest in Cincinnati?

Samuel Adams hosts the Oktoberfest Zinzinnat on 2nd and 3rd Streets, between Elm and Walnut. With many parking garden in downtown Zinzinnati, it becomes easier to walk to the festival ground.

The festival offers a rich German heritage with tasty samples of beer, food, and music from German.  The festival started in 1976 and has become the largest Oktoberfest festival in the United States with more than 700,000 spectators.

In 1994, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati clinched the record for the world’s largest Chicken Dane with more than 48,000 participants.  The festival boasts the following:

  • 87,542 metts
  • 80,500 brats
  • 64,000 sauerkraut balls
  • 56,250 sausages
  • 24,640 potato pancakes
  • 20,000 cream puffs
  • 16,002 strudel
  • 6,000 jumbo pickles
  • 3,600 pounds (1,600 kg) of sauerkraut
  • 1,875 pounds (850 kg) of German potato salad
  • 702 pounds (318 kg) of Limburger cheese
  • 700 pigtails
  • 400 pickled pig’s feet
  • 23,004 soft pretzels
  • giant six-pound (2.7 kg) pretzels

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati History

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is also referred to as Cincinnati Oktoberfest. The festival started as a block part in the celebration of the German heritage in 1976. Today, the festival is regarded as one the biggest German festival in the world.

While Munich holds the largest Oktoberfest festive in the world, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati takes the second position, and the largest in North America.

In 2021, I was overwhelmed by at least 80 booths serving us authentic German souvenirs, soft drinks, wine, beer and food.

I ate tasty delicacies from Germany at affordable prices. I experienced large tents and major stages featuring live entertainment from different bands, German folk dancers, accordion players, and others throughout the weekend.

My niece had the best of her time playing interactive games and using amusement rides.  Do you know that it was a wedding celebration that started Oktoberfest?

When Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig got married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, the locals celebrated them with days of feasting and drinking. Today, the celebration has become an annual festival.

Where is it celebrated?  You can find many states worldwide celebrating Oktoberfest, but Munich, Germany is where the main event happens.

Oktoberfest Celebration & Traditions

If you have never been to an Oktoberfest festival, you may not understand fully what it happens in that event. The festival is associated with beer, but that’s not all that happens during the festival.

You can explore beer tents, traditional Bavarian music, food, and cultural display.  In addition Munich breweries provide the festivals with beer. As a result, you can find people in traditional Bavarian clothing, dirndls and lederhosen.

Every year, people gather around the world to celebrate Oktoberfest during late September and October.  For instance,  La Crosse, Munich, and Wisconsin has little or no difference in the celebration.

1n 1961, La Crosse hit earned All-American City Award when it hosted its Oktoberfest, and has gone to replicate that feat annually.

Each year, America witness hundreds of area residents, civil and fraternal groups, including local industries on a voluntary basis during this annual event.

Origins Of Oktoberfest In La Crosse

In October, 1963, America witnessed its first Oktoberfest that took many months to play. For instance, in 1960, it was agreed that La Crosse should have a community activity because it has not celebrated any festival since 1921.

Then, G. Heileman Brewing Company decided to have an annual promotion in Las Crosse.  Two of their employees suggested a festival like the Oktoberfest, since they were from Germany.

The company accepted the proposal because of the following reasons:

  • October is the time the leaves changes to brilliant fall colors, making it the time of color.
  • Early October marks the end of the harvest and people are expecting winter. Therefore, Oktoberfest made a better business and relaxation sense..

Oktoberfest became an idea that grown around the city, and it was difficult for the brewery to support it alone.  As a result, it was agreed that the festival should be taken care of by civic enterprise.

The brewery officials met with the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce and presented their dream project. It was accepted that the chamber should handle the festival. The chamber formed a committee that was to oversee the festival.

Five objectives were raised by the committee to ensure that Oktoberfest becomes a success. Here are the primary objectives:

  • to involve a large number of people
  • to promote local pride in La Crosse
  • to obtain national publicity for La Crosse
  • to break even financially, while remaining a non-profit organization
  • to promote “tourism” to La Crosse and the Coulee Region

Interestingly, Oktoberfest has grown massively since its first year, and made La Crosse, a tourist haven during the festival period.   Oktoberfest became a holiday for the city and the residents found it worth celebrating.

In 1962, the committee registered Oktoberfest with the State of Wisconsin, and in 1963, another name, “Oktoberfest, USA” was registered and listed as a trademark with the federal government.

Meanwhile, in 1965, La Crosse Festivals, Inc., bought  the assets of Oktoberfest from the Chamber of Commerce and became the sponsoring organization.

FAQs

Where is Oktoberfest located Cincinnati?

The locals host Oktoberfest Zinzinnati on 2nd and 3rd Streets, between Elm and Walnut in downtown Zinzinnati

Is Oktoberfest Cincinnati cash only?

No, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati has started a cashless option at all beer and Pepsi booths.  Thus, you can use the booths for your transactions.

You need any of the major credit cards and offer tap-to-pay options. ATM’s to make your payments.

Is Cincinnati Oktoberfest free?

Yes, admission to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is free.


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