In October the festival of Oktoberfest is celebrated in Munich, Germany, however, on the other side of the world, in Brazil and Canada, it is also celebrated.
Every year, during the first half of October, the streets of Munich, Germany are filled with more than a million people excited to enjoy and celebrate Oktoberfest. But few know that in Blumenau, Brazil and in Kitchener, Canada, Oktoberfest also attracts thousands of followers of the party, beer and Bavarian culture.
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For more than 200 years, celebrations have occurred in the German city of Munich, where large crowds of eager enthusiasts meet every October to enjoy the environment, cuisine, music, and *traditional Märzen type beers, that are served only during Oktoberfest.
Apart from Munich, other places in the world where Oktoberfest is celebrated, especially by large populations of people originally from Germany, include the Brazilian town of Blumenau and Kitchener, Canada.
The Blumenau parade.
Located more than 5,800 miles from Munich is the city of Blumenau, which was founded in 1850 by German immigrant Hermann Otto Blumenau. The city, located in the southern region of Brazil, in the state of Santa Catarina, is now home to thousands of German individuals.
Oktoberfest of Blumenau, Brasil.
From October 3 to 21 Blumenau’s Oktoberfest activities begin: “Oktoberfest of the Jungle” attracts more than 750,000 Oktoberfest lovers every year, making it the second most attended Oktoberfest celebration in the world.
Opening day of the festival begins with a parade of more than 3,000 members dressed in typical regional costumes, who walk the streets of Blumenau alongside allegorical floats showcasing Bavarian culture, dances and traditional bands.
One of the festival’s shows.
Attendees who attend the Oktoberfest celebration dressed in typical Bavarian costumes will receive free admission to the party, abundant amounts food and, of course, beer at the “Vila Germánica Park,” where guests can listen to musical groups: “Cavalinho,” “Wanzblu,” “Malibú” and “Velhos Camaradas.” To know more: Oktoberfest in Blumenau, Brazil
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During October 5-13, the descendants of Germans who arrived in Kitchener, in the province of Waterloo, Canada, a metropolis near Ontario, enthusiastically celebrate their annual version of Oktoberfest.
The German tradition of this Canadian city – founded in the late 1700s by German Mennonites from Pennsylvania and by German emigrants from Europe – was formerly named Berlin from 1854 to 1916. Due to the city’s strong ties to Germany, inhabitants in Kitchener still speak German and carry out traditional German customs. One of those customs, of course, is Oktoberfest – which is the second most visited city in the world outside of Germany and Blumenau, attracting 750,000 visitors.
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This year, however, attendees are in luck, as 2018 marks the festival’s 50th anniversary of being the most visited Oktoberfest in North America. The president of the event, Margo Jones said: “This year’s festival will not be missed by anyone because we have added new events such as ‘Oktoberfest Idol,’ where guests are invited to sing or dance to potentially win a new Porsche Boxster 2018 in black cabriolet.”
The kick-off parade of Kitchener’s Oktoberfest, brings together more than 150,000 people every year, and will include new floats and bands, such as “OktoberCorps,” which was formed specifically for the 50th anniversary parade.
The band consists of 300 members playing drums and horns that promise to surprise the crowd with a precise marching display and massive sounds. There will also be huge rivers of beer, traditional Bavarian white sausages and pork knuckles. For more information: Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. ■
