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Tuesday, April 12, 2005

When Does This Year's Fest Actually End?

The tradition for Oktoberfest is to end on the first Sunday of October. However, the published dates for this year are September 17 - October 3. In case you are calendarickly challenged, October 3 is a Monday.

So, is the Wies'n open on Monday, or does it close on Sunday? Does the Wiesn' close on Sunday, but Oktoberfest the festival continues? I am so confused, guess I need a beer.



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice catch on the Monday closing date for Oktoberfest. Yes, the rule is first Sunday in October but the exception is Oct. 3. This was the day in 1990 (actually the night of Oct. 2-3) when East and West Germany reunited. Thus, when the "Day of German Unity", a German holiday, falls on a Monday, the Oktoberfest is automatically extended for a day. Adding confusion to that was the precedent set in 2000 to extend the O-fest all the way to Tuesday to encompass that Oct. 3 date. Sadly, that is a precedent not being followed, since the 2006 fest is due to close, again, the first Sunday in October, Oct. 1. But, hey, 16 -- er, 17 -- days should still be more than enough . . . at least until the next time?
Cheers and have fun in Munich.
Larry Hawthorne

BarleyMan said...

Chugger, Chugger, Chugger,

When will you ever learn. Oktoberfest NEVER ends. You carry it with you every day. It breaks the bonds of plebian carbon based life forms... it transcends the time space continuum.

OK, maybe I exaggerate. Should be fun to be there during the Reunification Day.

Chugger said...

Wow, two pieces of excellent news in just on eposting....

#1. We not only have an extra day at the fest, but it is a BIG party day to celebrate.

#2. We are honored by the posting of Herr Larry Hawthorne, our guidin glight for all things beer in Munich.

Thanks Larry for your contribution, explanation, and all the great book information.