TGIF: "Esscktoberfest"
By: Chris Riotta
Guten Tag!
On Friday, October 12th, ESSIC faculty and staff may find themselves transported to to a “virtual Munich.” In the spirit of the famous 16-day Bavarian autumnal festival, the Center will host an Oktoberfest-themed TGIF, featuring soft-pretzels, bratwurst, and a special “beverage”.
Time: 3:00 – 5:00+ (Note: To accommodate those that will be attending Marcia McNutt’s seminar, this will be an extended “ESSctoberfest” before and beyond normal TGIF hours.)
Oktoberfest is traditionally opened by the Mayor of Munich, who taps the festival’s first keg. At “ESSctoberfest,” we’ll settle for the ESSIC Director (who may be forced to betray his own heritage in homage to this tradition) with the ceremonial cry of “O’ zapft is,” “it is tapped” in the Austro-Bavarian language.
Some fun facts about Oktoberfest
- Record attendance of Oktoberfest was 7.2 million people in 1985, and record beer consumption was 1.82 million gallons in 2006.
- The first Oktoberfest was a royal wedding celebration in Munich, Germany in 1810.
- The fine for stealing an official Oktoberfest mug is 60 US dollars.
