Every wedding is a cause for celebration but the 1810 marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in Munich, Germany turned into a five day festival of eating, drinking and general merriment.  This marked the first Oktoberfest party and the birth of a new tradition that has lasted for 200 years!

Even those of us who can’t make it to the beer tents of Munich can still join in the fun by throwing our own Oktoberfest party.  But what exactly is Oktoberfest and what do you need to know to plan and host a truly great Oktoberfest party ?

To answer these questions and more we reached out to one of our resident Oktoberfest experts – Jimmy Horzen.  Jimmy is one half of “Jimmy & Eckhard German Oktoberfest Show,” one of GigMasters’ great German Bands.  He is also the author of “Horzen’s Original Oktoberfest Kit” an all-in-one Oktoberfest planning guide.

So put your favorite Polka on the stereo and take a look at what Jimmy had to say:
“What makes a successful Oktoberfest? One word: Gemuetlichkeit!

Gemuetlichkeit is a word that means a great atmosphere where everyone is friendly, happy, and enjoying the festivities…a happy mood. There are several things necessary to get to Gemuetlichkeit. Good, happy, lively music. A band, wearing the lederhosen (Bavarian-German pants) and drndles (Bavarian dress), must connect with the audience through sing-alongs, danceable music, and fun songs such as the ever-popular Chicken Dance.

A must throughout the Oktoberfest is the traditional Oktoberfest toast, “Ein Prosit der Gemuetlichkeit” which means a toast to good times (as we just discussed Gemuetlichkeit). Also important is good food…whether simple or extravagant. Simple being bratwurst, sauerkraut and a bun. More extravagant could me bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, red cabbage, pretzels, and German potato salad.

Good imported German beer is important also. Nowadays, it’s very easy to find “Oktoberfest Beer” at the supermarket or liquor store. As mentioned in my “Oktoberfest Kit,” an alcohol-free Oktoberfest is possible with apple juice as a replacement for beer…it looks like beer and no one will know the difference.

When we perform for an Oktoberfest party, in addition to the accordions, we also bring several folk instruments that the audience enjoys seeing and hearing…Alpine Horn (made famous in the Ricola commercial), Alpine Bells (from the cows, sheep, goats), Singing Saw (an instrument popular with the woodchoppers in the mountains), and the spoons (you may see these played in the mountain hut).

The main idea is to engage the crowd. Get them dancing. Get them singing. Get them laughing.  Get them to forget about their daily problems and escape to a land of “Gemuetlichkeit!”

So study up on your bratwurst and wiener schnitzel recipes, strap on your lederhosen and practice saying “Ein Prosit der Gemuetlichkeit!”

Happy Oktoberfest everyone!