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Monday, September 21, 2015

Eins, Zwei, Drei, PROST!

[ok-toh-ber-fest]

a traditional festival held each October in Munich, Germany. Fortunately here in the Midwest we love it so much we start it in August and carry it all the way through October.

Being a wife of a musician, our weekends are jammed packed with Oktoberfests. This last weekend we packed the car full of instruments, dirndls and lederhosen, and drove ourselves to Peoria, Illinois. Peoria (by the way population 160 thousand or so) is a pretty cool city. They host quite the Oktoberfest and it is seriously worth the 3.5 hour "cornfields for miles drive" from Milwaukee.

Peoria Oktoberfest celebrated their 20th Anniversary this year, Congrats again Peoria! Die Schwarzwald Vagabunden from the Black Forest in southern Germany took the stage and were the headliners all three nights. They held the crowd til 11 p.m. on Saturday night and had record breaking attendance.


I know the Vagabunden Band since I was a little girl. They were invited to play here in the US many times and became close friends to my entire family (back in 2004 when they appeared at Milwaukee's German Fest I met my husband who was the 22 year old Accordion player).

Here I have a video clip for you to experience one of the many show stoppers. This one is called "Bobfahrer-Lied", a song about a bob sled race. And as you can see, members of the audience had the chance to part take in this special "race":



A quick German lesson for you before you head on over to Oktoberfest

Eins, Zwei, Drei, G´Suffa! --means one, two, three, drink!
Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit -- means a toast to cheer and good times
Band says : Zicke Zacke Zicke Zicke your response Hpi! Hoi! Hoi! --not eu, eu, eu pronouce the H!
Schunkeling--grab the persons arm next to you and sway left to right


What to wear to Oktoberfest?

I have been going to Oktoberfest since the day I was born and have seen everything possible. Anything from Medival Times, to Fiona from Shrek, to I can't believe I am going to say this but Beer Maid Halloween Costumes. Granted the traditional German Dirndl isn't the cheapest outfit (ranging from 100-300 on average) to buy but wearing the Halloween costume is a slap in the face. Have you seen those? Your butt cheeks are hanging out!! Those won't make your Oma proud.

 Little Teagan came along too!!!!
but fell asleep to her daddys music

Bye Bye Peoria til next time




Upcoming Oktoberfests in the Milwaukee Area

Bavarian Inn September 25-26 700 W. Lexington Blvd, Glendale
Pere Marquette Park Oct 1-4 950 N. Old World Third Street, Milwaukee
Bavarian Inn October 2-3 700 W. Lexington Blvd, Glendale
Cathedral Square Park Oct 8-11 520 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee


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