Utah's Favorite Oktoberfest Starts This Weekend

It's time to dust off those beer steins -- Oktoberfest at Snowbird, Utah, kicks off this weekend on August 12th and 13th.

Here's a fitting horn-led introduction.

The upcoming event will last every weekend from August 12th through October 15th, Labor Day included.

But what, you ask, does Oktoberfest at Snowbird entail?

Well, of course, beer. Lots of beer. 50 varieties of beer. But there's more, including Bavarian food, live music, and local vendors. Entry is free, but you'll need to pony up $12 if you arrive by car to pay for parking.

Here's the event map, courtesy of Snowbird.

I, unfortunately, have never attended an Oktoberfest event. I know, I know, it's a crime. But it just hasn't happened for me, and I doubt I'll make the journey all the way to Utah for a pretzel and beer, although it is tempting.

Here's a recap of the event last year:

Finally, I need to address a question that I assume is weighing on you, the reader, heavily: It's August, so why the heck is Snowbird already starting Oktoberfest?

I'm glad you asked. Here's the story.

The original German Oktoberfest was held in October over 200 years ago to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig's marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

The initial celebration became a tradition, and, over the years, the event was extended and pushed back to start in September to take advantage of warmer outdoor temperatures.

During the Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest, the last weekend of festivities always takes place in October.

As for Snowbird's Oktoberfest, they've only fudged the history ever-so-slightly, starting their event roughly three weeks before its German counterpart, which kicks off on September 16th and continues until October 3rd.

I assume the move was made to partially sidestep Snowbird's chilly fall evenings. And, y'know, to keep the party going as long as possible.

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