Beer Before Beer, Never Fear

Funny thing about Oktoberfest is that it happens in September. It's actually a two week festival that originated in Germany, and at its center are polka music, bratwurst, lederhosen, and of course--beer. But while Germans halfway around the world are getting hammered on the beverage they're famous for, we're still reeling from the summer's triple digit heat. Well, Addison has the party that will usher you into the Fall season. At the Addison Oktoberfest celebration Thursday through Sunday, you'll get a belly full of beer, an eyeful of lederhosen and an earful of traditional German music--including performances by Grammy Award winning polka act, Brave Combo, and a rotation of other area polka bands. The festival will start in traditional German fashion, when the mayor of Munich taps the first keg. In this case, Addison's mayor Joe Chow will do the honors, followed by three days of events, performances, and rides that would exhaust even the most avid Oktoberfest enthusiast. The "German Idol" yodeling contest will certainly sound better after a few beers, but don't have too many before entering the "Bier Barrel Rolling" contest. And for those too young to enjoy all of the revelry of Oktoberfest, the "Family Fun Zone" has a smorgasbord of events and activities of its own. The festivities all take place at Addison Circle Park. Admission is free Thursday, $10 on Friday, $5 before 5 p.m. and $10 after 5 p.m. Saturday, and $5 Sunday. For hours, vendor details and more, visit addisontexas.net/events/Oktoberfest.
Sept. 16-19, 2010