Bobbing for apples, trick-or-treating, scary costumes and an overwhelming amount of candy are all things that are associated with the month of October. Children love October because it means Halloween, but adults have something to rejoice about as well. Childhood memories aside, there is a grown-up playground where adults can dress up and have fun during the month of October. Oktoberfest is the adult version of Halloween, but it isn’t just one day.
Oktoberfest is a German tradition that is celebrated every year in Munich, Bavaria and Germany. The original Oktoberfest was held in 1810 in order to honor the marriage between Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in Munich. The next year they began to add booths for beer and different carnival style games. By the 19th century, beer booths became halls, breweries were added and official staff became part of the event. Oktoberfest is now the largest people’s fair in the world with its 200th anniversary taking place this October. Luckily for adults in Southern California, there is a smaller version of Oktoberfest tucked away at the Old World Village in Huntington Beach. Old World is a German village located within the larger beach community of Huntington, which has been around since 1978. The traditional garb and food make one feel as if they are in Germany. Beer gardens and the smells of German bread and butter are just the beginnings of what makes this community famous.
“My favorite part of Old World is the atmosphere. It is interesting to walk around and see true, German culture. It really is a great experience” said Lindsay Benac, hostess at the E.C. Market and Restaurant. The moment you pull up to the Old World, you know you are in a place unlike any other. The large illuminated globe with the words, “The Old World” painted in red ignites feelings of excitement, which are matched throughout the entire experience. Tourists and locals alike cannot help but smile when they are greeted by the employees who make you feel right at home.
“It’s a great place, everyone is friendly and it feels good being here” said Dane Kasko, son of the owners of the E.C. Market and Restaurant.
The Old World was created by a German man named Josef Bischof, in order to preserve his heritage and homeland that he had to leave behind. Along with his family, he created the village comprised of 50 homes and 50 shops. This thriving village is an accurate replica of Germany and Bavarian style. The cobblestone pathways, imported lanterns and murals that grace the walls create a paradise filled with European culture. Bischof built a church, a garden gazebo and a hall in addition to the popular restaurant, bar and market.
This village is full of nooks and crannies that transport visitors to another place in time. The E.C. Market and Restaurant embodies the old world of Germany and makes you want to stay forever. The decorations, costumes the waitresses wear and the authentic German food transform Huntington into a hub for Germans and want-to-bee’s from all over to come and bond while enjoying all the fun the Old World has to offer.
“My favorite part of the experience was dinner at the German restaurant, where the waiters were all so kind and passionate about their jobs,” said Hilary Wright, a tourist. “Everyone at the restaurant seemed to be having a great time, which was echoed by the intricate detail for intriguing decorations that made you feel like you were actually in Germany! Plus, the baby-back ribs were to die for!”
On the other side of the restaurant lies a market stocked with German delicacies and gifts to take back and share with one’s entire family. The bakery makes exquisite cakes that go perfectly with the bread and sausage that are located in the deli section. The market is filled with German wines and stereotypical beer maiden costumes and collectables.
Once you exit the market and restaurant, your senses are hit with an amazingly, overwhelming aroma of baked goods. The candy store, located across the small road is run by an elderly woman, who bakes all of the treats fresh. At her side are her friends who come into chat before heading home and her son, who grabs a fresh chocolate croissant before taking seat next to the women. The feeling of home couldn’t be any stronger.
“I had an interesting trip through the market, and a fabulous stop at the candy store, where we encountered the sweetest family and were welcomed by the delicious smells of croissants and the peaceful ticking of the oven” said Wright.
Despite the peaceful and humble façade of the Old World, there is one event that attracts tourists from all over. Oktoberfest is the Old World’s biggest event that takes place beginning in late September and ending on October 31. The beer garden and the Rathskeller are two of the greatest pulls during the festival. The month long event also includes entertainment, beer maiden contests and Weiner dog races. “The best part about Oktoberfest is the entertainment. There is a live band every night, a great MC that keeps the party going and even a contortionist” said Benac. “There is a giant crowd every night with a long line of people waiting to get in” she added.
No Oktoberfest is complete without beer and a traditional bar to hang out in. The Rathskellar is an authentic German bar located below street level. The dark, dank atmosphere makes one feel more like a local than a tourist. It is a true depiction of a small-scale bar in Germany. The Rathskellar is full of old-timers who have numerous stories to share about the old days intermixed with the latest sports scores and the occasional talks about world politics.
“It’s partying, drinking, meeting new people and live German music, what more could you want?” said Kasko.
Oktoberfest is one giant celebration based on German heritage that has continued to entertain Germans and Americans alike. The Old World Village is a timeless place full of tradition. The classic bar, beer garden, contests and authentic feel that fills the village during Oktoberfest is what continues to attract people from all around and keeps them coming back year after year. Oktoberfest is the epitome of German culture condensed into a month that leaves you longing for the next October. Oktoberfest really is the adult version of Halloween; subtract trick-or-treating, add beer and replace Disney costumes with beer maiden skirts and you have a grown up version of Halloween, a better version of Halloween, you have, Oktoberfest.
Sources:
Lindsay Benac:
Hostess at the E.C. Market and Restaurant
Hilary Wright:
Tourist- from San Diego
Dane Kasko:
Busboy at E.C. Market and Restaurant
Son of the owners of the restaurant
The Old World Village:
