Raise a stein to Oktoberfest

It’s as much an institution in Surf City as the U.S. Open of Surfing

or the Fourth of July Parade and Celebration, only quirkier.

Oktoberfest in Old World Village is a 26-year tradition that

celebrates a nearly 200-year-old holiday commemorating the Oct. 12,

1810 wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig, who later become King Ludwig I,

to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

The residents of Munich were all invited to attend the festivities

held at a large meadow. The party featured beer, food, music and

dancing and concluded with horse races.

Anniversary celebrations continued each year, usually starting in

late September and ending in October.

The celebration at Old World Village in Huntington Beach is much

the same -- except there are Dachshund races rather than horse races.

Built in 1978 by German developer Josef Bischof, the 50-shop

center was designed to look like an Alpine village.

Old World Village doesn’t see too much local foot traffic

regularly. But once a year, it’s great to head over there for

Oktoberfest and celebrate German heritage, just as people flock to

Gallagher’s on St. Patrick’s Day.

Oktoberfest, which opened two weeks ago and runs through Oct. 30,

brings residents to a nearly forgotten area of the city each year to

dance and socialize and celebrate German Heritage.

Those celebrations are generally good, albeit rowdy fun. Still, it

is hard to forget the run of controversy at the center in the late

1980s and early 1990s revolving around Germany’s Nazi and

anti-Semitic past. We’re pleased that the last few years have been

relatively quiet and calm.

Oktoberfest serves as almost its only revenue. So if you haven’t

visited Old World Village yet this year to honor the German

tradition, head on down. It’s an experience not to be missed.