Beer steins and bratwurst, polka and Pfeffernusse… It’s all coming together during Green Bay’s 12th Annual Oktoberfest celebration! What started as an Autumn festival in Munich, Germany has made its way across the Atlantic Ocean and landed square in our city.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise, though. Nearly 50% of the population of Wisconsin comes from German ancestry! It’s Green Bay’s newest (and most delicious) tradition and Anduzzi’s is excited to be a part of it for the second year!
But what is Oktoberfest all about? What started this celebration of food, music, beer, and fun? For that, we’ll have to go all the way to 1810, when a royal wedding was taking place…
On October 12, 1810 the future King Ludwig I married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildhurghausen. To celebrate, the people of Munich were invited to a party in front of the city gates.
During the festivities, a horse racing event was held. Everyone enjoyed it so much, the tradition was repeated the next year, and the next year, and the next. Along the way, beer carts and food stalls opened, craft fairs were set up, and music became a more prominent focus. Attractions were added and carnival rides became a mainstay. Oktoberfest was born.
Over 6 million people make their way to Munich’s modern Oktoberfest, typically held for 16-18 days at the end of September into the beginning of October. It kicks off with The Tapping, during which the mayor taps the keg and shots are fired into the sky to signal to innkeepers that the festival has officially begun.
Directly following is the Grand entry of the Oktoberfest landlords and breweries. After the parade, guests enter the fairgrounds to a magical world of delicious food, refreshing brews, and timeless tradition.
We hope you enjoy celebrating Green Bay’s little slice of Oktoberfest. Anduzzi’s is proud to participate in the fun and we hope to see you there!
Friday, 9/14
3:30pm-6:00pm – Oktoberfest 5k Packet Pick Up
7:00pm – Live music with Johnny Wad
8:30pm – Spaten Stein Hoist Contest
Saturday, 9/15
7:00am-8:00am – Oktoberfest 5k Packet Pick Up and Late Registration
8:30am – Oktoberfest 5K Race Starts
9:45am – Awards for Oktoberfest 5K Run
11:00am – Live music with Grand Union
12:00pm – Klement’s Sausage Brat Eating Contest
1:30pm – Dachshund Dash (Wiener Dog Race)
3:15pm – Live music with Adam’s Way
4:30pm – Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. Partner Stein Race
7:00pm – Live music with The Cougars
8:30pm – Samuel Adams Stein Hoist
Sunday, 9/16
9:00am-12:00pm Anduzzi’s Ultra Tailgate Party
12:00pm – Packers vs. Vikings
3:30pm – Live music with Star Six Nine