A description of everyone's famous fest for 1996
HOW NOT TO BEHAVE LIKE A TOURIST: First of all, do not yodel. They do that in the Alps, starting about 65 km south of here, near Garmisch. But do be prepared to shout, carouse, whistle, clap, stomp and sing "ein Prosit, einProsit, der Gemütlichkeit" till you drop. Second, don't exclaim "Oh, isn't that cute!" every time you see men in Lederhosen. After all, do you want them saying that about you with your VCR and some silly baseball cap? And finally, carry lots of change, as you have to pay 70 Pfennig (or so) each time you use the toilets. Although you may feel you have "Oktoberfest first-timer" stamped on your forehead, approximately 70percent of the festival-goers are from Munich, so with a little prudence you can blend right in. Many companies and clubs treat their employees or customers to a day at the Wiesn, and locals generally attend the festivities more than once during those sixteen turbulent days. Of course, that's what makes it so hard to find a place to sit, because they have all been able to reserve their tables in advance. BE PREPARED Our advice is to go early and be prepared to split up into small groups or pairs, unless you want to spend hours circling the seating area like a Sputnik satellite while looking for an empty bench. Don't worry if that forces you to sit by people you don't know; by the end of the evening, you'll know plenty about them. And ladies, remember that most (55 percent) of the Oktoberfest visitors are men. Beer prices have remained stable, between DM 9.80 and DM 10.50 per Maß; six tents have not raised their prices. A Maß is a liter measure of beer, and the rousing call of "oans, zwoa, drei, g'suffa!" means roughly "one, two, three, down the hatch." Oktoberfest etiquette suggests you raise your mug and toast anyone within arm's reach. Many Bavarians also tap the mug briefly on the table again before taking a great swig. To save money, you can bring your own food with you, but must buy beverages there. Standing or dancing on benches and tables is not really permitted, even if everyone is doing it. The security guards will be around shortly to spoil your fun. HELPFUL HINTS No dogs, bicycles, skateboards or inline skates are allowed on the Oktoberfest grounds. On "family afternoons," September 24 and October 1from 12:00 to 18:00, fares for children's rides are reduced. Do take the little ones home early. You may not use buggies or carriages after 18:00 or on weekends; it's simply too crowded. Note that there aren't any "no smoking" sections in the tents. Luggage storage, buggy parking and a new wheelchair rental service is available at the U-Bahn station Theresienwiese. For those of you who've just arrived in Munich on a whim, take heart. You still have a chance at find a room, albeit in a higher price class. Inquire at the Munich Tourist Office at the main train station. FUN FACTS Over 50,000 hectoliters of beer and 700,000 chickens were consumed last year. Dr. Gabriele Weishäupl, director of the Tourist Office, predicts that visitor numbers will be up from the previous year, when 6.7million people attended. The oldest ride is the Krinoline merry-go-round from 1924, and the oldest attraction is the Schichtl sideshow. New rides are the thrillers Frisbee and the Jumping. Non-beer drinkers, can indulge in wine at Zum Wein Wirt. Sipping sparkling wine or drinking coffee are de rigeur at Käfers Wiesnschänke. Both of these tents remain open after-hours, until 1:00 a.m., while beer tents close at 22.45. AUF GEHT'S! Don't miss the Oktoberfest parades on Saturday, 21 September at 11:00 and Sunday, September 22 at10:00. Oktoberfest hours are 10:00-23.30 Monday through Friday, and 9:00-23.30 on Saturday and Sunday. Do not drive there! Even if you "don't drink," there is no parking anyway. Take the subway U3 orU6 to Goetheplatz or Poccistraße, the U4 or U5 to Theresienwiese or Messegelände, or the S-Bahn to Hackerbrücke and just follow the crowds. Also, for DM 2.50 (adults) and DM 1.50 for children, you can hop a shuttle bus between Arnulfstraße and main entrance.