By Khalida Sarwari
For 16 days every fall, Germans and Germanophiles put on their best lederhosen and dirndl and come together in Munich to revel in the best that the culture offers: beer and bratwurst.
The locals call this event “die Wiesn,” but everyone else knows it as Oktoberfest, a 200-year-old German tradition celebrated in cities across the world. In Campbell, the celebration takes place the second weekend in October.
This year marks Campbell’s 18th Oktoberfest, held annually by the city’s Chamber of Commerce. The event is a celebration of all things German and is known to attract thousands from the South Bay and beyond. Last year’s festivities pulled in an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people a day, said Vance Nelson, a financial assistant at the Chamber.
“It’s a pretty packed place,” said Nelson of the Oct. 13-14 event. “I do recommend riding a VTA train to get there; parking is definitely difficult.”
Organizers promise another authentic European experience this year, showcasing a wide array of food, beer, artisans and entertainment. Popular German cuisine such as bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels and German potato salads will be available. Some of the vendors catering at the event are Bavarian Bratwurst, Teske’s Germania, Z’s Sausage, Little Hofbrau, Lockeford Sausage and Big Ed’s Buzzard BBQ.
But the star of the show is likely to be a 90-liter, unfiltered and unpasteurized Festbier keg that Gordon Biersch owner Dan Gordon will tap into on the afternoon of Oct. 14 for the beer’s first and only public release. According to the Chamber, Gordon is the first American in more than 40 years to graduate from a five-year brewing program at the Technical University of Munich. An assortment of beers, wine and soft drinks will also be available throughout the festival.
The entertainment line-up will once again be headed by Alpiners USA, who will perform near Ainsley Park. They will provide music from regions of the Alps including Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Local bands will set up shop on the west end stage at the new development near First Street and Campbell Avenue. The featured bands are Schwabenlander, The Playbacks, Bug Horn Rex and the Fred McCarthy Band.
The event will also feature artisans selling art and jewelry throughout the two-day festival, as well as a National Stein Holding competition on the afternoon of Oct. 13 and a children’s area on Second Street with rides and activities.
Nelson encouraged Oktoberfest revelers to come dressed in their finest German garb.
“Where else are you going to wear lederhosen?” Nelson said.
Oktoberfest will take place in historic downtown Campbell on Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
E. Campbell Avenue from Third street to Railway Avenue will be closed to motorists during the festivities.
The event is free and open to all.
For more information about Campbell’s Oktoberfest, visit the Campbell Chamber of Commerce website at www.campbellchamber.net/oktoberfest.html.
