Birmingham Oktoberfest

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Put on by the Freunde Deutscher Sprache und Kultur since 1977, the Birmingham Oktoberfest, is an annual celebration of German culture. The festival of Oktoberfest was first held on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of Bavaria's prince to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hilburghausen in Munich.

The first Oktoberfest in 1977 took place along Morris Avenue. What made the event so unique in that it was Birmingham's first outdoor event at which alcohol was served. Due to this, the city required a large opaque curtain be placed around the site of the event.

The event would continue to grow throughout the 1980s and was held at multiple venues, including Sloss Furnaces, the Alabama State Fairgrounds and the BJCC. By the mid-1980s, the event was recognized as the largest German festival in the south and as one of the Southeast's top 20 tourist attractions. After having a series of financial difficulties in the mid-1990s, the event has been scaled back to take place at the Freunde Deutscher Sprache und Kultur's clubhouse on 2nd Avenue North.

The event held each October features samples of traditional German food and traditional German music.

2006

The 2006 Birmingham Oktoberfest was held on October 6 & 7 from 5:00 to midnight at the German Club, 2318 2nd Avenue North. Admission was $5 and entertainment was provided by Lorelei und Schatzi and Chuck Keasler. A menu of freshly-prepared schnitzel, knackwurst, bratwurst, German potato salad and red cabbage, as well as desserts, beer and wine was available.

2005

The 2005 Birmingham Oktoberfest was held on October 7 & 8 from 5:00 to midnight at the German Club, 2318 2nd Avenue North. Admission was $5 and entertainment was provided by Jim Bossert and Wolfgang Mortiz. A menu of freshly-prepared schnitzel, knackwurst, bratwurst, German potato salad and red cabbage, as well as desserts, beer and wine was available.

References

  • Spencer, Thomas (October 3, 2006) "Preserving a culture." Birmingham News.
  • FDSK Press Release (October 2005) "2005 FDSK German Club Birmingham Oktoberfest." [1]
  • O'Hara, Joe Ellen (September 30, 2005) "German Club to host Oktoberfest celebration." Birmingham News.

External link