It’s about the beer, not the month.
Have you ever wondered why Oktoberfest takes place in September? As you may or may not know, Oktoberfest is a German festival that celebrates beer. Locals never actually called it Oktoberfest, but instead “die Wiesn.” The name is for the fairgrounds in Munich, Germany, where the festival is centered every year.
As for why it’s held in September? Years ago when Oktoberfest was just beginning, the last batches of German beer were usually brewed in March. Waiting longer meant the brew wouldn’t turn out well. The tradition was for the big festival to start in late September and end in early October in order to drink up the remaining beer from the year to make room for the new brew. The holiday eventually slipped backward on the calendar, and now we celebrate in September.
German Park in Greenwood is holding its 39th Annual Oktoberfest celebration starting today on Thursday, September 5 and ending Sunday, September 8. Admission is only $5 (and kids under the age of 12 are FREE), and you can enjoy plenty of live music, dancing, food, and (you guessed it) drink. Both the pavilion stage and the Biergarten stage will feature bands each night, while performers will be strolling through the park. Keep your eyes peeled for the barbershop quartet, the magician, and more.
For more information on this year’s Oktoberfest and about the German American Klub of Indianapolis in general, click here to explore the website. We’ll see you this weekend for all the festivities.
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 