The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Oktoberfest celebration featured traditional Bavarian food, live music and games along with crafts for students and the public to participate in last weekend. Blissful music emerged from the eight tuba players on the union stage, and the Memorial Union restaurants changed their menu offering Pork Schnitzel, Spaetzle and German potato salad.
This German festival began in 1810 as a celebration for the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Bavaria. During the celebration, the public would watch horse races, listen and dance to traditional music and engage in large feasts.
As time passed, the event became known as Oktoberfest, and traditions slightly shifted. Oktoberfest today is celebrated in Munich with traditional German and Bavarian music, food and a massive beer festival on the last weekend before October.
“I learned how fun their celebrations are and the different types of customs they have to celebrate Oktoberfest,” UW-Madison freshman Grace Gellert said.
Attendees gathered with their traditional food and beer pitchers to watch the tuba show. The Madison Tuba Band provided energetic and joyful entertainment for the public. They played traditional German music, UW-Madison’s “Varsity” and Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” The lead member of the band told the public to stand up and participate in a chant. His humor brought laughs among the crowd as they engaged in his cheer about beer.
Freshman Arielle Zisman said she “loved getting to see all of the people that were really excited to be there, singing songs together and seeing the older audience was really sweet.”
For the second day of Oktoberfest, WUD Global Connections brought a wooden heart ornament station to the festival. Hosted by Wheelhouse Studios, the Stein and Ornament decoration stand allowed people to draw and decorate clay cookie hearts for necklaces or ornaments.
WUD Games hosted Euchre games that anybody was welcome to join. This game originated in Germany during the 18th century and was brought to America by German immigrants. Students were available to join in this four person game and teach the rules.
Through the Wisconsin Union’s execution of Oktoberfest, UW students experienced their own slice of German culture, an ocean and thousands of miles away, in Madison.
