Oktoberfest traditions

To many people, Oktoberfest symbolizes beer and not much else. But those who want to enjoy Oktoberfest to the fullest should not only hoist a favorite beer, but participate in the following traditions as well. Dress the part. Perhaps the only thing associated with Oktoberfest as much as beer is the extraordinary outfits worn by Oktoberfest performers and staff. Men traditionally wear lederhosen, which consists of a pair of shorts or three-quarter length pants, as well as a drop-front flap with leather suspenders with a front cross strap. This outfit is accessorized with a white shirt, long socks and boots. And men shouldn’t forget their Trachten hats, which is a German-style hiking hat typically adorned with a tuft of goat hair. For the women, a dirndl is a full wide skirt with a tight waistband. This outfit also consists of a bodice, blouse and apron. When women tie their bow on the left, that means they’re single, while the opposite side means they are already taken. Indulge in the cuisine. Another great tradition of Oktoberfest is the great food. The beer consumed at Oktoberfest tends to be somewhat heavy and potent, so revelers often consume large amounts of food. Hendl is a favorite dish and consists of whole chickens grilled on a spit and often sold in halves. In addition, another favorite dish is Weisswuerste, which includes steamed white veal sausages served with sweet mustard, sauerkraut and some bread. And those who aren’t squeamish about what they eat might want to try Haxn, which are also known as pork knuckles. Do the Chicken Dance. Want to make your Oktoberfest as authentic as the one in Germany? Then you might be surprised to learn that an Oktoberfest simply isn’t an Oktoberfest without the Chicken Dance. How authentic your chicken dance becomes is up to you, but keep in mind you will have to put your beer down to dance. Turn up the music. Oktoberfest is a raucous party, and no raucous party is complete without music. Yodeling, polkas and brass bands are staples of Oktoberfest. Before each song, bands typically offer up “ein Prosit der Gemuetlichkeit,” a toast to contentment and relaxation.