Bring Oktoberfest home     

Oktoberfest is a festival that was originally celebrated in Germany to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig (who eventually became King Louis I) to Princess Therese in 1810 with a horse race. It is now a popular tourist event, as it brings in approximately 6 million visitors each year. It was brought to Cleveland in hopes of introducing residents to European culture and celebrating the arts. Now, Oktoberfest includes a wide variety of things to do and watch, such as the wiener dog races, art gallery, vendors, and live entertainment.  

 If you are unable to attend the event in person, don’t fret! There are still plenty of ways to bring this celebration into the comfort of your own home. 

 Beer 

Oktoberfest wouldn’t be the same without German beer. In Germany, only beers brewed inside Munich are allowed to be sold. To get the authentic Oktoberfest experience, grab a cold drink from one of these six breweries: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Lowenbrau, Paulaner, Spaten, or Hofbräuhaus. You can also provide non-alcoholic options for non-drinkers. Prost! (That’s German for cheers!) 

 

Food 

Although beer is Oktoberfest’s crowning glory, food options are plentiful. Brezen, German-style pretzels, are often paired with butter. Additionally, two popular entrees are Schnitzel and German sausage, or würstl. Schnitzel is a thin piece of meat that is breaded and fried. There are many different varieties of sausage, one of the most popular being Bratwurst, which is often made entirely of pork.  

Finish off your celebration with an apple strudel. 

 

Look the part 

In Germany, lederhosen are typically worn by gentleman and dirndl for the ladies. Lederhosen directly translates to “leather shorts” and are often worn with suspenders. Women and girls wear a dirndl, which is a dress consisting of a tight-fitting bodice, blouse, skirt, and apron. You can find inexpensive options anywhere online. 

In addition to apparel, decorate your tables with blue and white tablecloths or napkins, as these are the Bavarian colors used for Oktoberfest. 

Here at McGregor Senior Living, being exposed to different cultures allows us to learn from each other and our different experiences. In the process, we connect with our community to lead more enriching lives. Find your home at McGregor today. 

 

submitted: Grace Meyer, Marketing & Communications Summer 2022 Intern