Oktoberfest Party – Roll out the good times
There’s nothing better than a well-planned Oktoberfest party. From its humble beginnings as a wedding party in 1810, Oktoberfest has spread across the globe to become one of the most recognized holiday themes. In fact, the traditional Bavarian costume of lederhosen and fedora that has been associated, rightly or wrongly, with Oktoberfest drinking culture is now the fastest growing bachelor party theme.
The October Festival (translation of Oktoberfest) began with the state fair that was proclaimed to celebrate the wedding of King Ludwig I to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hillurghausen during the month of October 1810. The celebrations continued annually and were soon incorporated into the agricultural fair held. almost at the same time and from this beginning the Oktoberfest we have today has grown.
Starting from the second week of September and running until the end of October, Oktoberfest has become a huge festival with huge tents erected on the Theresienwiese field in Munich along with huge fairgrounds with shooting galleries, fairground stalls and sideshows alongside with all kinds of other amusements and activities.
Simply known to the local population as ‘Wies’n, the celebrations start with a procession of the brewers (wagons) which are specially decorated for the occasion and the tapping of the first barrel of the Wies’n beer specially brewed by the Mayor of Munich. , a celebration that takes place precisely at noon and is received with a salute of cannon fire.
If you’re throwing your own Oktoberfest party, we’ve got some helpful ideas to help. First, let’s find some unusual ideas for your invitations. The most common ‘snack’ at Oktoberfest is the pretzel and a great idea is to get some large pretzels and attach an invitation to them, or if they are big enough to put in a box, write the invitation inside the lid of the box. To attach an invitation to an individual pretzel, the best idea is to use a luggage tag or any tag that fits with the overall theme. If you’re using the luggage tag trick, the words ‘let us transport you to……’ always fit the bill.
If you’re designing your own invitations, Oktoberfest is always depicted in the blue and white checkerboard design that’s part of the region’s identity. This design and these colors will flow naturally through your room or garden decor and most online party stores stock Bavarian themed decorations including flags, Oktoberfest bunting, hangers, beads and other goodies.
One of the fun parts of an Oktoberfest party is the costumes. This is a great opportunity for a themed fancy dress party with men and women dressed in stylized Bavarian costumes complete with long braided wigs, ahem, for the ladies, and their choice of the traditional gray pointed felt Bavarian hat or one of the green or browns with feathers, the bigger the better! Again, most online costume retailers will be able to offer you a selection of costumes to choose from based on lederhosen for the men and lovely Heidi or Bier Maid style dresses for the ladies.
Clearly any Oktoberfest party should have some German beer, but if you can’t find any then lager is a perfectly acceptable substitute. With food, its pure indulgence with traditional foods like German sausages, potato salad, sauerkraut, sweet or pickled cabbage with delicious Black Forest pies for dessert. There are some great recipe sites online that will give you a selection of meal ideas, as well as detailing a full Oktoberfest menu. And don’t forget the pretzels.
Oktoberfest party decorations help you celebrate Oktoberfest when you can’t travel to Germany. Host an Oktoberfest party in your own home with our Oktoberfest party supplies and costumes. We have a great selection of Oktoberfest themed party supplies available in stock that are sure to make your party a hit.
