Friday, September 28, 2012

Beer, music, and fun this weekend--Oktoberfest SF


Celebrating in the true tradition of Munich's famed festival, Oktoberfest by the Bay will include nonstop music, singing, dancing and the very best in German food and drink. 

History of Oktoberfest


Oktoberfest traditionally starts in the third weekend in September and ends the first sunday of October.



It began with the Royal Wedding on 12 October 1810.
Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on 12 October 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. The fields were renamed Theresienwiese ("Theres'a Fields") to honor the Crown Princess, although the locals have since abbreviated the name simply to "Wiesn". Horse races in the presence of the royal family marked the close of the event that was celebrated as a festival for the whole of Bavaria. The decision to repeat the horse races in subsequest years gave rise to the tradition of Oktoberfest.

The Oktoberfest continues in 1811.
In 1811, an added feature to the horse races was the first Agricultural Show, designed to boost Bavarian agriculture. The horse races, which were the oldest - and at one time - the most popular event of the festival are no longer held today. But the Agricultural Show is still held every three years during the Oktoberfest on the southern part of the festival grounds.



More and more things to see and do.
In the first few decades, the choices of amusements were sparse. In 1818, the first carousel and two swings were set up. Vistitors were able to quench their thirst at small beer stands, which grew rapidly in number. In 1896 the beer stands were replaced by the first beer tents and halls set up by the enterprising landlords with the backing of the breweries. The remainder of the festival site was taken up by a fun-fair. The range of carousels offered was already increasing rapidly in the 1870's as the fairground trade continued to grow and develope in Germany.

Today, the Oktoberfest in Munich is the largest festival in the world, with an international flavor characteristic of the 20th century.

At the foot of the Bavaria Statue, adjacent to the Huge Oktoberfest grounds there are also carousels, roller coasters and all the spectacular fun for the enjoyment and excitement of visitors of all ages.

The festivities are accompanied by a program of events, including the Grand Entry of the Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, the Costume and Riflemen's Procession, and a concert involving all the brass bands represented at the "Wiesn"  



 
@ Pier 48, San Francisco, CA

Price: $25 – General Admission $75 – VIP Admission

VIP Includes: German Food Buffet, Commemorative 1 Liter Mug, Includes First Beer (not all you can drink), Private Bar, Guaranteed Seating in Private Area, Private Bathrooms. 

Fabulous Friday! 
$10 off admission 
Friday, September 28, 2012 — Grab your friends and head down after work! 

German Day Sunday 
2-for-1 or 50% Off Tickets 
Sunday, September 30, 2012 — Fun for the whole family.

Date & Time
Grand Opening
Friday, September 28
5 PM - Midnight
Saturday, September 29
Session 1: 11 AM - 5 PM
Session 2: 6 PM - Midnight
German Day 2012
Sunday, September 30
11 AM - 6 PM

Contributed by Sfgate.com & oktoberfestbythebay.com

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