Oktoberfest - Family Tradition

As a little girl, my Omi told me stories of Munich's Oktoberfest and every year, my family and I would travel to Cinncinnati, OH to attend the closest replication of Munich's Oktoberfest . . . For the weekend, Cinncinnati would turn into Zinnzinnati! Ohio does a great a job of hosting the Oktoberfest as a two day event! There is plenty of music, authentic food and imported beer! Of course, that combination leads to DANCING! I have fond memories but in recent years our Oktoberfest plans have changed. In 2004, my Omi was asked to host Huntington's first Oktoberfest. As hostess, her job was to lead the town's people in the "Enten Tanz" (Chicken Dance) as well as display literature and memorabilia that serves as way to educate those who attend the Oktoberfest about Germany and its rich culture. This year marked her third consecutive year as hostess and we both agreed that this year was the best so far :)

I would like to thank all my friends who made these great pictures possible . . . each of you grabbed the camera and started snapping away. You know how much that means to me and truly, I am thankful.

So many fun-filled moments captured . . . enjoy the slideshow!

FUN FACTS
Traditionaly, the Oktoberfest is a 16 day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September and early October. It is one of the most famous event in the city and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year.

I acted as my Omi's sidekick. Together, we dressed traditional German apparrel called “dirndls.” We lead the “Enten Tanz” also known in the American culture as the “Chicken Dance" every hour on the hour!

My friend Ritter and I entered the BEER STEIN RELAY! We nearly took the title of CHAMPIONS :) We were named runners-up which I still very stoked about!

Women dress traditionally in dresses called "Dirndls."

Men wear traditional outfits called "Lederhosen."

Bavarian Inn: Shepherdstown, WV

Last weekend, I made a trip to see my dear friend, Anne. It was a nice trip to northern VA and just over the WV stateline (Eastern Panhandle). While I was there, we spent a day in Shepherdstown. I loved the feel of the town and def. main street. There small shops that were full of earthy goods and art of all kinds. It was great. Our day started out by having a delicious lunch at the Bavarian Inn. The Bavarian Inn was built in 1930. The famous Greystone Mansion in 1962. The Bavarian Inn has a "Bavarian Alpine Motif." All balconies overlook the Potomac River Bend. I loved it there and all I could keep thinking was, "I wish that my Omi could see this." I took plenty of pics of the Bavarian Inn and the Greystone Mansion (where we had lunch). I hope that you can enjoy the slideshow of my mini-trip to Germany just two and half hours from my VA home ;)