Germania

Oh what fun we have every year in August at Germania. We have a few Octoberfests around the Cincinnati area but this one clearly is the best. Crowds are small, the food is authentic and the beer is cold!

Some of the highlights:

They have a festive beer hall........



A lively and fiercly competitive Tug O' War competition is held featuring local fire/police departments, German organizations and of course the Ancient Order of Hiberians (the Irish). The picture below are the teams parading through the festival grounds.




Of course.....there are shots of Jager and Schnapps! The Jello Wench thoroughly enjoyed herself today!







And last but not least, it is worth mentioning the Wagon of Cheer! This is always popular for those who are feeling lucky! If there isn't something in this wagon that you care to drink......you don't even need to be at this festival!






All in all it is a good way to end the Summer on a positive note.......now where is my stein?

Drink Up, the Summer Wind Down Has Begun

It's downright steamy this weekend.

Today we'll be joining Jello Shot Wench and assorted others for what's become a tradition -- lesbian invasion of the local Germania Society Oktoberfest. It's the first 'official' of umpteen Oktoberfests here in the Zinzinnati area. And yes, it's held in August. It's followed two weeks from now by the Main Strasse Oktberfest in Northern Kentucky, then a week or so later by the really big and much-too-crowded big one downtown.

Germania is a hoot for a couple of reasons. It's GREAT people watching -- old men in lederhosen, family guys pushing strollers and juggling giant steins, and whiny kids begging for food not involving sausage or sauerkraut.

And then there are the activities -- personal favorites include buying raffle tix for the wagon-of-cheer (booze), betting on the rat-in-the-hole game, and the high camp tug-o-war between the local German societies and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. (Go Irish!) Seriously, the opening ceremony for the tug-o-war includes a parade, flags, the works -- it rivals the Olympics. But with more beer.

Rita will post pics in a later post, if the camera can be properly focused. Until then, what sorts of local festivals are must-attend events in your city?