News

FINAL WEEKEND
October 8 and 9

Don't miss the fun!

German American Society
celebrates 200^th Anniversary of Oktoberfest

Come for the Gemutlichkeit!

PINELLAS PARK—Oktoberfest, considered by many Americans to be a celebration of all things beer, is actually a 200-year-old wedding reception!

When Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in 1810, there was a six-day celebration that began on October 12 and ended with a horse race on October 17.

The union has been commemorated at Munich’s Theresienwiese (Theresa’s Meadow) year after year, and the party grew so much in popularity that the festivities couldn’t be contained in six short days. Because the weather gets chilly in late October, party planners moved the start of the celebration into September, but continued to extend it into October to maintain contact with the festival’s roots.

Germans love this festival, and have exported its enthusiasm around the world.

In Pinellas County, Oktoberfest has been celebrated for the past 20 years at the German American Society, 8098 – 66 St., N., Pinellas Park, FL 33781.

Three weekends of fun are planned: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25, October 1 and 2, and October 8 and 9.

Admission is $6 for adults (children under 12 are admitted free). Parking is free. Purchase “Oktoberfest Festival Money” to pay for foods and wares inside the tent.

This year’s tent is twice as large as last year’s, and doors open each night at 5 p.m., and close at 10 p.m.

Highlights include:

Ceremonial Parade and Keg Tapping by the Honorary Burgermeister O’Zapft Is

Nightly Schuhplattler performance by the Gulf Coast Enzianer Schuhplattler Verein folk dancers

Souvenirs

Imported Oktoberfest beers and wines

Authentic German foods and pastries, prepared in the kitchens of the German American Society

Prizes

Dancing

For further information, visit the German American Society’s website at http://germanamericansociety-stpetersburg.com/default.aspx.