Coloradoans likes beer. We have a lot of breweries. In fact, we produce more beer here than in any other state. Not surprisingly towns across Colorado embrace Oktoberfest.
The real Oktoberfest is held each year in Munich, Germany, where Germans and tourist alike consume 1.5 million gallons of beer during the 16-day event. The event starts in September and usually last into the first part of October.
The tradition was started in 1810, to celebrate the October 12th marriage of a royal German couple. This festival was focused around a horse race, not beer. Each year the anniversary of the original event was celebrated and each year it got a little bigger.
Eventually the start date of the festival was moved forward to September in order to provide better weather for the partygoers. The introduction of beer to the festival started sometime in the late 1800s when the city began allowing beer stands on festival grounds. These small white tents under eventually evolved into the large white tents we associate with Oktoberfest in Munich today.
During the month of September, Coloradoans have quite a few Oktoberfest festivals to choose from. The two largest are the Breckenridge Oktoberfest and Oktoberfest Denver.
The year’s Breckenridge Oktoberfest runs September 19-20. It’s the town’s 15th annual Oktoberfest. The picturesque mountain community shuts down Main Street for the event, which includes German food, polka music, dancing, and of course, lots and lots of beer. For more information visit GoBreck.
Oktoberfest Denver occupies two weekends in September, 18-20 and 25-27. It is one of the city’s longest running festivals, 40 years, and also one of the largest Oktoberfests in the country. To learn more visit www.OktoberfestDenver.com.
Many smaller communities across the state are also celebrating.
Greeley is celebrating their 38th Annual Oktoberfest on September 26, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Historic Lincoln Park.
Fort Collins will celebrate the same day, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Civic Center Park.
Longmont will celebrate September 11-13 at Roosevelt Park.
I’m sure there are many Oktoberfest around the state I haven’t mentioned. If your town has an Oktoberfest, tell HeidiTown all about it!
And last, but not least, all these festivals are free!
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Give me polka or give me death! I only wish these places would serve the gigantic bier stein by the St. Pauli girl while she carries eight other biers. A drain in the floor would be handy as well.