Cullman Oktoberfest

 Cullman Oktoberfest

"After traveling around the country and arriving in North Alabama the impression was made upon my mind that if this country was filled up with good farmers it would be the garden spot of America. I found here all that I had been looking for, all that I regarded as necessary to make good homes: there was here combined these things to an extent not equaled by any other place I had seen." - Col. John G. Cullmann, 1877

Throughout the years, Cullman has been host to many festive events, from Pioneer Parades, to Strawberry Days, to Oktoberfest. No matter what event is celebrated, this community shows her pride and support.

 The first official Oktoberfest in Cullman was held October 9-17, 1982 and had a theme: Die Duetsche colonie von Nord Alabama-heir the living is good! Events included German Food, genealogical exhibits, prizes, doll collections, polkas, folk dancers, square dancers, games, open house church sanctuaries, a children’s fun run, Weiss cottage tours, and more.  Sponsors for these events where: Downtown Merchant Association, the All Steak, Central Bank of Cullman, First Alabama Bank, Leeth National Bank, Parker Bank and Trust, Sacred Heart School PTA, Cullman Savings and Loan, First Federal Saving and Loan, St Paul’s Lutheran Church and Stiefelmeyer’s Deli.
Every year after, starting the first Saturday in October, we have one goal; to celebrate Cullman’s German heritage. Some events change, some sponsors change, but we stay true to our mission.

In the past, the Oktoberfest Board wrestled with, how you can be an Oktoberfest without beer? But in the end, not having beer made us no less proud of who we are or where we lived.
 In November 2010, the residents of the City of Cullman voted to allow legalized sale of Alcohol in the city limits. This in turn, allowed Cullman Oktoberfest to include a beer garden to the list of venues for 2011. Cullman Oktoberfest 2011 was a huge success.

Traditional German music could be heard at the Festhalle Mark Platz, Women and girls in Dirndl’s, men in Lederhosen danced to the oompa band, visited the beer garden, and enjoyed the festivities.
As we plan for 2012 and beyond, events may change, and sponsors may come and go, but we still have one goal: to celebrate Cullman’s German heritage.

History of Oktoberfest
By Greg Richter

Oktoberfest festivities begin when Munich’s Oberbürgermeister, or mayor, taps the first beer keg and yells “O’zapft is!”, which means “It’s tapped!”, at 12 noon on the first Saturday of the event.         
                                                                                              
Most people find it hard to separate the original Oktoberfest celebration from the drinking of beer that accompanies it, but, while beer has always been a part of Oktoberfest, it wasn’t always as central to the Munich event as it is today. In fact, it wasn’t until 1818 that food and beer stands were introduced, and Oktoberfest’s large beer tents, or beer halls, didn’t come along until 1896.                                                          

 Oktoberfest began as the wedding celebration of Bavarian Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghause. The royal couple decided to let the commoners in on their festivities, and 40,000 showed up. They had so much fun that October that they partied again the next year with a horse race and agricultural show.                                                                                                             

The grounds on which the first Oktoberfest were held were named Theresienwiese (the Teresa Meadow), and every Oktoberfest since has been held on what locals have shortened to “die Wiesn.” Munich has grown so much in size since then, that Theresienwiese, which once sat outside the city, now lies within the heart of Munich.
                                                                                 
Except for a few years during war and disease, Oktoberfest has been held every year since. The horse race dropped in 1960 and the agricultural part of Oktoberfest is celebrated only every 4 years. The carnival and beer gardens now take center stage.


More on Oktoberfest!
http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/       Munich’s