This should have been published more than a couple of weeks ago now when it actually took place, but things have been ever so slightly hectic in these parts, and I am far more unorganised than usual (which by the way, is not very!)! And so this poor post has been sitting half-written and stuck in my draft folder, with photographs itching to be uploaded…
But instead of consigning it to the archives to be possibly dusted off next year, I thought I would finish it and publish it now, as you might like to see what happens around the time that Oktoberfest actually starts…
The proceedings kick off with two parades, one on the Saturday lasting for around an hour, and consisting of the huge Munich Breweries supplying the important stuff, the waitresses, and the bands that will play in the bier tents. And all decked out in their very finest…
And then there’s this one – The Costume and Riflemen’s Parade. I think this is a part of the proceedings that perhaps very few tourists visiting “The Biggest Bier Fest in the World” even know about, as they sit in those enormous tents downing Maß after Maß of bier. But to me, it was probably one of the most impressive things about the whole event – a procession that must come under one of the world’s biggest categories in itself (it is 7km long and takes almost three hours to complete after all…). It’s made up of a huge spectrum of participants, from the Breweries to the more historic trades such as the hop-pickers, ice-sellers, hunters and alpine horn blowers, and all in various regional costumes – not only from Bavaria, but Austria and Italy, Switzerland and Poland too…
If you would like to read more about it, you can here, but for now I will leave you with a few pictures of the day. Better late than never?
Singlemarriedmum says
Definitely worth digging out of the draft folder – looks spectacular, and can’t believe the parade was 7km long! Did you watch the whole thing?
bavaria says
Thank you! No, we didn’t manage the whole thing! Mr R, obviously inspired by the huge Brewery dreys, decided he was rather thirsty and we went for lunch and a bier, but we did watch around 2 hours of it! :)
Jazzygal says
It’s never too late to share photos and info like this! Besides, you should see my draft ‘folder’! Like you, I WILL get them finished and out there.
A trip to Germany may be on the cards for us at some stage as my boy is now learning German. His teacher suggested it and I ALWAYS do what teachers tell me ;-)
xx Jazzy
bavaria says
Then you must most definitely come to Munich!! :) xx
Mama Syder says
wow, this looks so fab! Bet it was great to watch. Fantastic photos x
bavaria says
Thank you Mama S. It was worth watching! :) xx
Kitty B says
7km?! – Fantastic!! Wonderful pictures too.
bavaria says
Thanks Kitty… My favourite were the ice guys, behind the cart were around 3 men with pitch fork type things sliding along huge slabs of ice! :)
Helen says
Wow is there no end to the amazingness of where you live, i think you made a very good choice moving there what a fab festival
bavaria says
Thanks Helen! It was definitely worth seeing! :D
Emma @mummymummymum says
Wow, that looks very impressive! I’d love to see it. x
bavaria says
Thanks Emma… It was really impressive, but also very very long. We didn’t last for all of it! :D
Midlife Singlemum says
Love it. Every country should have an Oktorberfest. It’s November I feel sorry for – nothing in it anywhere.
bavaria says
Thank you! I agree! Don’t worry about November, I think they have another Strong Bier Festival coming up, and then at the end it’s the start of the huge Christmas Market season! :D
farfromhomemama says
It looks like a fantastic celebration. I love how involved people get in their local celebrations. In the UK, it mainly seems to be about how early you can start drinking and exactly how much you can consume. We have a couple of different parades in Zurich that I’ve missed the past couple of years but need to make the most of them next year as it will be our last.
bavaria says
Thank you! They are so proud of their heritage here… Something we kind of are, but we don’t go to the same lengths with costumes etc. which I kind of think is a shame… Don’t think we have a national costume either! :D Does it feel strange knowing that you are going to be in your last year there shortly?
farfromhomemama says
Strangely exciting! The longer that I’m here, I realise that it’s the very simple things that I miss from back home and I can’t wait to head back now.
bavaria says
I am still happy on our sojourn, but I miss the little things too, like Waitrose, M&S prawn sandwiches, cadburies cream eggs, fish and chips, decent curries, I could go on and on. Oh and the not so little things too obviously, my much missed friends and family! :D xx
TheMadHouse says
Wow, thanks for sharing
bavaria says
You’re very welcome Jen! :)