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Bakersfield Oktoberfest Survival Guide!
Topics: Bakersfield Oktoberfest, Bakotopia, 2009, october, Stramler Park, fun, Events, matt munoz, Survival Guide
Posted by matt Mon Sep 14, 2009 16:42:23 PDT
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0 responses 5 comments Location: 3805 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301

2009 Bakersfield Oktoberfest
Survival Guide

Above from left: Jennifer Hungerford and Devon Cera. Photo by Omar Zamudio.

By Matt Munoz, Bakotopia Editor

Stop right there!
           
Before you go any further, your friends at Bakotopia have decided to get you prepped for Bakersfield Oktoberfest on October 3. No one likes to be out of der loop!

Let's start with some Oktoberfest history…

Oktoberfest is the biggest festival in Germany and is held over 16 days leading up to the first Sunday in October. The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich on October 18, 1810 to commemorate the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.


Above: King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.

The festival has survived wars and even David Hasselhoff during the reunification of Germany in '89. From there, you're going to have to do your own history sleuthing - it gets way too technical for party purposes.

Get plenty of rest the night before…

Since our Oktoberfest is cut down to one day, you'll have a lot of areas to cover. Get a full night's rest - and study the follwing lesson on how to make most of your Oktoberfest experience.



Get your party posse together…

A party is always better with a large group on the same mission. Make a list of the funnest people you know and make it an all day thing. Everyone can share the tab, and there's always the one crazy friend that will keep you in the mood all day.


Above: The scene at Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany.

Oktoberfest buzz words...

Every cultural festival has its share of wild expressions, Greeks say “Opa”, Jews say “Mazel tov”, and Mexicans say “Orale'!” Here's a short list of German buzz words to help you annoy your neighbor while swigging from your Das Boot stein:

• Prost! - “Cheers!”
• Wunderbar! - “Wonderful!”
• Nix da! - “No Way!”
• Ja! - “Yeah!”
• Danke! - “Thank You!”
• Auf Wiedersehen! “Farewell!”
• Achtung! - “Attention!”
• Raus! - “Out!”

Look Oktoberfab…

This isn't a summertime, flip-flop, shorts, slob fest, it's Oktoberfest! Get into the spirit, and sport some lederhosen - the shorts with suspenders and a hat with a feather in it. Ladies in lederhosen are guaranteed sexiness if cut the “right way”, so do your research and make some yourself, or buy some online and get ready for the million photos you will be posing for all day. You're guaranteed to be an instant hit.



Learn to polka…

While you might not have time to learn a full German polka, do a Google search and you're sure to find link or videos on how to do it right with some basic steps and not flop around like a piece of soggy strudel. Remember fellas, the way to a woman's heart just might be through the erotic power of der polka!

(CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW FOR SOME VIDEO INSTRUCTION!)


Moderation, friend…

The Oktoberfest gates open at 3pm and close at 10pm, that gives you approximately 7 hours to get your most righteous fill and groove on. We suggest you try the various foods, in between the cold brew you crave. Drink water throughout the day too, it'll help keep things in proper “balance”.

Keep things fun and have a designated driver…

Safety is the key to having a good time. Make sure everyone's got a smile goin' and that you have a designated driver. If you have a sober party goer, ask them to keep tabs on key chains. That way you can reminisce about doing the polka the next morning, and plan for next year!

NOW YOU’RE READY!
CLICK FLIER BELOW FOR A FULL PREVIEW!

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 63, 9-17-09
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BAKERSFIELD OKTOBERFEST!

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Comment From: soulajarmusic

Not to mention Soulajar will be performing! Wow, what a deal! Comment From: matt

That's a Soulabargain! ;-) Comment From: soulajarmusic

A true Soulabargenzerzee! Gettin in the spirit already.--

Comment From: matt

Will there will commemorative jars of 'Soulakraut' available at the merch table? That would be truly WUNDERBAR!! Comment From: meestro

It's only fitting that Soulajar resurrects Jägerfunken for this special performance!