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Raise a Beer Stein to Oktoberfest 2012 in Greenbelt

Get your lederhosen out—Greenbelt has it all going on when it comes to Oktoberfest.

 

Before Halloween is here, there’s another not-so-spooky way to celebrate the fall: the German holiday of Oktoberfest! Greenbelt offers multiple events that let residents and friends take part.

While you're looking forward to dressing up in a costume and nearly getting a cavity from the candy intake, you can don knee socks and feast on bratwursts and beer.

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In its native Bavaria, Germany, Oktoberfest is traditionally celebrated for 16 days, and this year the fun goes from Sept. 22—Oct. 7. It is one of the most spirited celebrations in Germany, and is a huge part of Bavarian culture.

The first Oktoberfest was in 1810, as part of Crown Prince Ludwig’s wedding festivities, and has continued ever since.

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Oktoberfest Greenbelt Style

Greenbelt has its own Oktoberfest and fest-like celebrations, taking place a little after the official German dates.

Drop by the New Deal Café on Oct. 18 and hear Wolgemut perform Renaissance German beer drinking music. The high-energy band will be playing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The New Deal bar offers beer on tap and bottled selections.

Saint Hugh's Catholic Church will celebrate its 7th Annual Oktoberfest at 3 p.m. on Oct. 20 this year, with authentic German beer and food, including red cabbage, sauerkraut pork roast, chicken, radish salad, wurst, goulash soup, soda and more. Plus there will be a dessert table and 50-50 raffle. Prices will vary by food choices, but admission is free. Music will be by Phil Ventura.

The Greenbelt Recreation Department is hosting a free Senior's Oktoberfest designed for seniors, but all ages are welcome. It's Friday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. in the Greenbelt Community Centergym. Light refreshments will be served, including pigs in the blanket, apples picked from Shaw's Orchard in Pennsylvania, and hot and cold apple cider. Helmut Licht will also be on hand playing music and teaching some German dance.

Oktoberfest sends lots of Americans to the store to stock up on sausages and spirits during the celebration. Check out some native German recipes like sauerkraut and potato pancakes or unique beers during the 16-day celebration, they'll have your taste buds saying “danke schön”! You can also try your hand at grilled bratwurst with German potato salad. Finishing off the meal with a German apple strudel is also sure to be a crowd pleaser.

And of course, you can’t say auf wiedersehen to Oktoberfest without a proper polka. Here are some polka dance moves and a tutorial that will make you the toast of the celebration.

Glückliches Oktoberfest!

TELL US: How are you going to celebrate Oktoberfest? Do you have any favorite Oktoberfest foods? 


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