Running Head: OKTOBERFEST: FESTIVAL OF FUN

Oktoberfest: Festival of Fun

Nikita Melnikov

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

ENG1213

Oktoberfest: Festival of Fun

Before winter wraps a white blanket on the lands, a final celebration is in session for October all over the world. This is the time to eat, drink, and be merry: Oktoberfest. The tradition began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. The location was named Theresienwiese, meaning Theresa’s fields; locals usually refer to them as just “Wies’n.” Festivities occurred on these fields in front of the city gates and continued …show more content…
In Saxapahaw, NC a strong southern influence is evident in the music. Bluegrass, blues, swing, folk, and old-time music is performed using various instruments including banjoes, mandolins, fiddles, dobro, lap steel, harmonica, and even spoons. Farmers often bring their harvest including organically grown vegetables, farm-raised meats, cheeses, and baked goods (Chapel Hill News, 2007).
Most frequently, traditional German music is played at any Oktoberfest. Folk music, polkas and oompah music can be heard continuously. The term “oom-pah” refers to the downbeats played by bass or tuba and their accompaniments which create a rhythmic melody. European band music is often played and the performers model their group after the 19th and 20th century Prussian and Austrian military bands. These bands are often very big due to multitude of instruments used. Two flugelhorns provide melody and harmony, tenorhorn provides countermelody, a euphonium doubles countermelody and provides afterbeat and bass lines. Trombone, tuba and French horn emit afterbeats (Cole, 2008).
In order to dress properly for Oktoberfest, one must include key components in their wardrobe. There are very many pieces of traditional German clothing that include a dirndl, lederhosen, tracht, and gamsbart. A dirndl is a dress worn by women traditionally from the Southern area of Germany. Throughout history, each village would have their own version of the ornate dirndl dress. Originally though, it was worn by