{"id":14645,"date":"2016-09-16T21:29:55","date_gmt":"2016-09-16T21:29:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=14645"},"modified":"2016-09-19T20:06:29","modified_gmt":"2016-09-19T20:06:29","slug":"babys-first-bier-fest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/babys-first-bier-fest\/","title":{"rendered":"Baby’s First Bier Fest"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"oktoberfest<\/a><\/p>\n

It seems like only two minutes ago that I was lamenting the fact that I was about to miss my first Oktoberfest<\/a> (in the time that we have lived here), whilst looking like I was smuggling some kind of barrage balloon. \u00a0 The baby arrived a few days after it was all over and done with, probably around the same time the last football pitch sized tent was being taken down… \u00a0 \u00a0 Where has this past year gone?<\/p>\n

Anyway, the biggest bier fest in the world starts again tomorrow, and this year, we will be there (without the Small people!) in time for the tapping of the barrel by the Mayor of Munich, which heralds the beginning of the festivities. \u00a0Until that barrel is tapped, no bier is served, so he had better not be late…<\/p>\n

Someone recently asked me whether the whole thing is family friendly, and whilst in some respects it definitely isn’t, if you avoid a few things (like the rowdier tents full of tourists determined to drink their fill, visiting in peak times on a weekend, and bringing loads of stuff with you that you have to lug around) then it definitely is. \u00a0 \u00a0Sadly it looks like the Oide Wiesn<\/a> won’t be featuring this year as there’s some big Farmer’s get together, but if you visit in future years, then it’s a definite must with kids, plus the bier tents are really lovely. \u00a0 You should also bear in mind that at the busiest times (mostly on a weekend), pushchairs are not allowed, but it’s generally nicer to visit with kids early on a weekday anyway when there’s no risk of no wheels (indeed there’s usually a family day when the rides are reduced etc.)…<\/p>\n

\"Oktoberfest<\/a><\/p>\n

Understandably there will be much more security this year, and larger bags\/rucksacks are also prohibited. \u00a0 \u00a0Do decide on a meeting point if you happen to get separated (I usually scribble my mobile number on my children’s arms somewhere!), and if it all gets a bit too much, head to Bavaria herself (you can’t miss her, she’s like Munich’s Statue of Liberty) climb up the hill behind (watching out for bier “corpses) for the best view, then duck through the woods at the back, where to the right you will find the beautifully tranquil Augustiner Bier Garten. \u00a0 It’s what we tend to do as a family after a day at the Oide Wiesn<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Connection… How can it be Fest season ALREADY? #instapassport #instatravel #bavaria<\/a><\/p>\n

A photo posted by Emma (@bavariansojourn) on

Of course, we had to take our Bavarian Bua<\/a> to his first local bier fest recently given that he was busy piloting that huge barrage balloon this time last year. \u00a0 I am not sure he will make it to Oktoberfest, but I can confirm he is already a huge fan of the much smaller (and in some respects far more authentic) local Bier\/Volksfests… \u00a0How could you not like somewhere where there are hundreds of new sights and sounds, thousands of people to coo over you, and best of all you can get a brezen as big as yourself?<\/p>\n

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In case you might find them useful, here are a few of my past posts, Costume and Rifleman’s Parade<\/a>,\u00a0My First Oktoberfest<\/a>, A Night at the Wiesn<\/a>, and\u00a0Oktoberfest Secrets<\/a>. \u00a0 See you tomorrow morning on Instagram?<\/p>\n

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