The celebration of Oktoberfest is widely synonymous with beer and drinking. However, local festivals offer a variety of family-friendly activities as well.
The annual Oktoberfest of San Carlos was held at the Hiller Aviation Museum on Oct. 15, where many celebrated by dressing in traditional lederhosen, eating schnitzel and curry, and listening to a live band perform German folk music.
Hiller Aviation representative Bill van Cleve said, “It’s about coming together as a community to celebrate the harvest. It’s a German tradition in our community.”
According to the History website, this German folk festival celebrates the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony in the year 1810. This year alone over 6 million people attended the annual festivities in Munich, Germany, according to the Oktoberfest.de website. Even though the tradition of these festivities began over 200 years ago, Germans have kept it alive by taking this day to celebrate their heritage.
“This is the second one I’ve been to in San Carlos. I just came from the one in Germany. It was fantastic,” said Bay Area resident Steve Faggiolly.
German culture was on display with the presence of Die Golden Gate Zecher, an affiliated branch of the Stein Collectors International organization. This organization collects decorated ceramic beer mugs called steins. They showed over 20 antique beer steins,
Food was served by The Little Red Riding Truck, a food truck which sold schnitzel, bratwurst, and their signature currywurst, traditional bratwurst topped with red curry. Hot dogs were also sold by the museum as an alternative. The San Mateo Elks Concert Band provided the musical accompaniment, playing a set comprised of Volksmusik, German folk songs.
This was the sixth year San Carlos Oktoberfest had been hosted at the Hiller Aviation Museum.
Bay area parent Ben Adams said, “I came for the (food), and my son loves airplanes.”
Oktoberfest 2018 is being planned, and is likely to remain at the Hiller Aviation Museum. This event concludes the string of Bay Area Oktoberfest celebrations for 2017.
