Redwood City’s downtown was filled with the sounds of spirited music, raucous (and slightly tipsy) laughter, and the hum of food trucks this September. The City’s annual Oktoberfest, running from the 18th through the 27th, filled the Downtown area with crowds of people gathered to dance, enjoy good food and beer, and celebrate the coming of fall.
Oktoberfest, which originated in Munich, Germany in 1810 as a royal marriage celebration, is now a global phenomenon. Celebrations take place in countries including Brazil, Australia, China, and of course the United States, to honor the Bavarian culture and community. This year, Redwood City’s 13th annual Oktoberfest boasts traditional attractions like German folk dancing and authentic pretzels while putting its own cross-cultural twist on the festivities.
This year, Redwood City’s 13th annual Oktoberfest boasted traditional attractions like German folk dancing and authentic pretzels while putting its own cross-cultural twist on the festivities.
Despite being geographically far from Germany, Redwood City upholds the traditions and culture. “The tent is very authentic. The music is authentic. The food is authentic. The drinks are authentic,” Mario, an Oktoberfest attendee, said. Mario, who moved to the US from Germany, explained that attending Oktoberfest helps him feel connected to his roots.
Many attendees consider Oktoberfest to be the closest they can get to what they can get outside of Germany, enjoying traditional foods like “brezn” (giant pretzels), bratwurst (grilled pork sausage), and traditional Bavarian bites like sauerkraut and potato salad, alongside a “maß” (a liter of beer). In addition to traditional foods, people dressed in traditional dirndls and lederhosen, the dress of Bavaria.
Despite its focus on German traditions, the festival celebrated a range of cultures through its diverse food vendors and the International Band. At this Oktoberfest, Italian hits like “Sarà Perché Ti Amo” give way to traditional yodeling, followed by Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl”, creating a soundtrack as diverse as the festival itself.
For some attendees, Oktoberfest is an important yearly tradition. “We come here every year,” Mario said. “It’s very authentic.” Redwood City’s Oktoberfest particularly reminds him of home. “I just visited another [Oktoberfest] today, and I realized it’s not the same,” Mario said.
However, not all attendees are German. People from all over gathered to enjoy themselves through food, music, and dance. “I get to see people from different locations come and enjoy the same thing,” Oktoberfest employee Giovanni Gutierrez said. Gutierrez, who worked at Oktoberfest for the first time this year, emphasized the impact of community on his experience there. “Well, I think [what makes working Oktoberfest fun is] definitely my coworkers. A lot of more people my age are working right now, so I think it’s a lot more fun for me too,” Gutierrez said.
As an annual event, Oktoberfest has something for everyone, from traditional German foods to music of all sorts, so all attendees can have a good time.
