Cleveland Oktoberfest 2014

Every year in September for the past 10 years the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds has hosted the Cleveland Oktoberfest, a smaller version of the festival held in Munich, Germany every year. The original Oktoberfest was held in Munich in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony. Today it is still celebrated around the world as a Bavarian extravaganza of sausage, polka music, wiener dogs, and of course, German beer. This is the first year Sarah and I attended the festival and it was a blast. My parents joined in as well.

The first event of the day.

She can barely contain her excitement.

There is a lack of pictures from the race itself because I had to release Minnie and and Sarah had to catch her on the other end. Unfortunately Minnie stayed in her box when they raised the gate and then moseyed over to the box next to hers while all of the other wiener dogs ran for their owners. I guess all of our training was no match for Minnie's extremely short attention span.

The raceway and stadium.

After the races we then proceeded to the Bier Garden to grab a mug o' suds, taking in some of the festivities along the way.

The crowded midway.

Sand beer?

Round one!

Bavarian dancers.

I believe this was from a ride call the "Flying Whip", formerly located at Euclid Beach Park. Euclid Beach Park closed before I was born, but was a staple to any child of the 60's and 70's and "Euclid Beach Park Now" is a society attempting to maintain and restore that heritage. Also, wiener butt.

After we walked around for a bit we decided to get some grub and check out the main tent. My wife Sarah got the bratwurst sandwich with a side of kraut and I enjoyed a Veal Schnitzel sandwich with a side of chicken paprikash (and now I am hungry at work). Halfway through my meal I had to take a break to procure more.....

.....you guessed it, beer!

Inside the main tent.

There were some good bands in the main tent, that not only played polka music, but some hits from the past. In traditional Campana fashion, my mother and I took part in some polka dancing (I am very thankful for the lack of pictures). I'm sure my grandfather was critiquing me the entire time.

After some more dancing and a third round of beer it was time to return home, with my sober wife driving of course (don't you want more posts?).

That's one tired wiener.

Thanks for reading!