Oompah-pah bands, Sauerkraut, Pretzels, Bavarian dancing, German crafts and, of course, plenty of German Beer - In the spirit of Munich, Germany's annual sixteen-day festival, many communities and organizations throughout the Southeast U.S. celebrate Oktoberfest. Some Oktoberfest celebrations last one day while others continue for several weeks, each with its own unique format and traditions. If you are not able to travel to the real deal in Germany, these festivals in the Southeast offer several good choices for Oktoberfest fun.
Oktoberfest - Helen, Georgia
Oktoberfest Parade in Helen, Georgia: Photo courtesy of the Georgia Dept. of Economic Development
September 10 - 27, 2009 (Thursday - Sunday) and October 1 - November 1, 2009 (Daily)
The Oktoberfest celebration in Helen, Georgia, one of the most festive of the multi-week fall happenings in the Southeast, goes on and on for two months. The area's top tourist event attracts thousands of visitors each year to Helen's large Festhalle to enjoy authentic German music and dancing, food and beer and more. A year round getaway destination, Helen Georgia is a charming Alpine-style town located in the North Georgia mountains and surrounded by picturesque scenery.
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The Oktoberfest celebration in Helen, Georgia, one of the most festive of the multi-week fall happenings in the Southeast, goes on and on for two months. The area's top tourist event attracts thousands of visitors each year to Helen's large Festhalle to enjoy authentic German music and dancing, food and beer and more. A year round getaway destination, Helen Georgia is a charming Alpine-style town located in the North Georgia mountains and surrounded by picturesque scenery.
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Annual MainStrasse Village Oktoberfest - Covington, Kentucky
September 11 - 13, 2009MainStrasse Village, a 19th century German neighborhood located just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio in Covington, Kentucky, celebrates Oktoberfest each year with a blend of German and international foods, music and arts and crafts, rides and live entertainment. This popular Oktoberfest attracts around 150,000 festival-goers each year.
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Fredericksburg Area Oktoberfest - Fredericksburg, Virginia
September 25 - 27, 2009Historic Fredericksburg celebrates German heritage with family entertainment, including entertainment, singing and dancing, contests, German food and authentic Oktoberfest Beer and German Hefeweizen from Blue and Gray Brewing.
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Annual Oktoberfest on the River - Savannah, Georgia
October 2 - 4, 2009Enjoy live entertainment including headliner and oompah bands, German food, wiener dog races and other games, regional arts and crafts, Friday night fireworks and more along Savannah's historic River Street.
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Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest - Arlington, Virginia
October 3, 2009Held rain or shine at Shirlington Village, this Oktoberfest celebration features over 30 breweries giving out 4oz samples, authentic German music and food, plus events for kids at the Shirlington Library. There is an entry fee for those who wish to sample the beer, but the festival is free to non-sampling attendees.
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Crossville Oktoberfest - Crossville, Tennessee
October 9 - 10, 2009Crossville's annual Oktoberfest features live music, German specialties, a Biergarten and family fun with games for kids. DeLo Day Tours offers a bus trip from the Knoxville area.
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Annual Oktoberfest - Lake Worth, Florida
October 9 - 11 and 16 - 18, 2009Held over two weekends on ten acres under a pavilion and massive tent, this is one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the country. Hosted by the American-German Club of the Palm Beaches, Inc. each year on the second and third weekends of October, this traditional Oktoberfest festival features bands from Germany, entertainment, authentic German food and imported German beer and wine, plus arts and crafts, souvenirs and a carnival for kids and adults.
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Bramwell Oktoberfest - Bramwell, West Virginia
October 10, 2009Known for its live musical entertainment, with traditional folk, blues, bluegrass and alternative artists performing throughout the day, the annual Bramwell Oktoberfest features food, entertainment, beer samples and guided outdoor tours of Bramwell's Millionaire Row Historic District.
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Charlotte Oktoberfest Beer Festival - Charlotte, North Carolina
October 10, 2009This annual celebration features hundreds of beers from some of the finest breweries from across the Southeast and around the world. Other features of the festival include live musical entertainment, an array of foods and entertaining fun and games at the Creative Loafing Beerlympic Village.
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Germantown Street Festival - Nashville, Tennessee
October 10, 2009The original Germantown neighborhood Oktoberfest celebration has evolved throughout the years into the Germantown Street Festival. Held on the second Saturday in October the festival continues the original flavor of the original Oktoberfest with authentic German beer and food along with entertainment in a variety of musical styles and fun activities.
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Walhalla Oktoberfest - Walhalla, South Carolina
October 16 - 18, 2009Featuring hot air balloons, skydivers, crafts and carnival rides in addition to traditional German foods, music, dancers and more the Oktoberfest, a Walhalla tradition since 1979, offers good spirits, good times, laughter and goodwill.
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Annual Richmond Oktoberfest - Richmond, Virginia
October 23 - 24, 2009The largest German / American Oktoberfest festival in the state of Virginia, this two-day indoor festival offers a sample of German Bavarian culture at its best, including German food, dancing, bands and more.
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