2008 Woodie Awards
Milwaukeeans cheer Oi! Oi! Oi! at Oktoberfest
German traditions continue at Old Heidelburg Park
By Becky Simo
Tucked in a corner of northern Glendale is Old Heidelburg Park, home to the Milwaukee area's very own Oktoberfest. The park, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., features a pavilion that houses musical groups and dancing as well as tents selling genuine German fare, souvenirs and — that Oktoberfest staple — steins full of beer.
Today, Oktoberfest is still celebrated yearly in Germany and the rest of the world. Milwaukee has been celebrating its version for a long time, said Jan Luty, head of the United German Societies Culture committee, the group that oversees Oktoberfest.
"We haven't kept records but as far I can account we have been celebrating for at least 60 years," she said.
Milwaukee's festival features live German brass bands, dancers and plenty of food. Out in Glendale, a huge wooden pavilion that can easily seat hundreds of people can be found.
The Milwaukee chapter of the United German Societies provides the entertainment. It includes two Bavarian dance groups, a Bavarian soccer club, singing club and a social club she said.
The annual festival is the group's major fundraising event, and with crowds of about 2,000 people gathered in the park on a good Saturday night, it is easy to see why.
Even despite the weekend rain, Old Heidelberg Park was full of plenty of music, dancing, food and drink. The spanferkl (a young pig) was roasting, the accordion was playing and the beer was flowing.
With steins of beer and traditional German fare available at almost every turn, Milwaukee's Oktoberfest is almost as authentic as possible.
"All the food is made by volunteers from the five German societies, except for a few vendors," Luty said. "We are looking into including more vendors in the future."
Oktoberfest originated in Germany in 1810 as a wedding celebration, according to the official Web site for Oktoberfest Germany. When the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in 1810, the country set out to celebrate. The wedding festivities lasted for 16 days, and it was such good fun that the festival became tradition.
Although the original Oktoberfest did take place in October, Milwaukee's festival begins the weekend after Labor Day because the September weather in Wisconsin is better for outdoor parties, Luty said. It is not just the Wisconsin version that has had a change of date over the years, however.
"The festival was lengthened, and the dates pushed forward to encompass the mild weather at the end of September," she said.
Oktoberfest runs through Sunday. Admission is $5 Friday and Saturday, and $4 Sunday.
Today, Oktoberfest is still celebrated yearly in Germany and the rest of the world. Milwaukee has been celebrating its version for a long time, said Jan Luty, head of the United German Societies Culture committee, the group that oversees Oktoberfest.
"We haven't kept records but as far I can account we have been celebrating for at least 60 years," she said.
Milwaukee's festival features live German brass bands, dancers and plenty of food. Out in Glendale, a huge wooden pavilion that can easily seat hundreds of people can be found.
The Milwaukee chapter of the United German Societies provides the entertainment. It includes two Bavarian dance groups, a Bavarian soccer club, singing club and a social club she said.
The annual festival is the group's major fundraising event, and with crowds of about 2,000 people gathered in the park on a good Saturday night, it is easy to see why.
Even despite the weekend rain, Old Heidelberg Park was full of plenty of music, dancing, food and drink. The spanferkl (a young pig) was roasting, the accordion was playing and the beer was flowing.
With steins of beer and traditional German fare available at almost every turn, Milwaukee's Oktoberfest is almost as authentic as possible.
"All the food is made by volunteers from the five German societies, except for a few vendors," Luty said. "We are looking into including more vendors in the future."
Oktoberfest originated in Germany in 1810 as a wedding celebration, according to the official Web site for Oktoberfest Germany. When the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in 1810, the country set out to celebrate. The wedding festivities lasted for 16 days, and it was such good fun that the festival became tradition.
Although the original Oktoberfest did take place in October, Milwaukee's festival begins the weekend after Labor Day because the September weather in Wisconsin is better for outdoor parties, Luty said. It is not just the Wisconsin version that has had a change of date over the years, however.
"The festival was lengthened, and the dates pushed forward to encompass the mild weather at the end of September," she said.
Oktoberfest runs through Sunday. Admission is $5 Friday and Saturday, and $4 Sunday.
Published: 9/18/08 Section: Marquee
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