Oktoberfest 3 - 8p.m

"O'zapft is" — "It's Tapped"

Today is Placerville's Oktoberfest. Some might think Oktoberfest is in October but today kicks off the 179th traditional German folk festival Oktoberfest. With only two blows of his hammer and a cry of "O'zapft is" — "It's Tapped" — the mayor of Munich, Christian Ude, inserted the first tap into the first keg this morning as the festival opened Saturday. Placerville's event deliberately coincides with the opening date of the Munich Oktoberfest.

Placerville's Burgermeister Jeff Winzeler said “We’re going to do everything a little bigger and better this year, More food, more beer, more wiener dogs.”  Jeff Winzeler inaugurated our Oktoberfest three years ago at the Wine Smith on Main street in Placerville.  The event has grown in size and popularity each year.

This fun, 2nd Annual event will feature music (complete with Chicken Dance and polkas!), Wiener Dog Races, Server's Races, Costume Contest, Children's Games, Beer-related Games, Bavarian Dance Demos, a Silent Auction and (of course) sausages, sauerkraut, strudel & beer. Sponsored by Placerville Downtown Association. Admission is free.

Wiener Dog Races have been very popular. Winzeler said “We were overwhelmed with entries and we had to close registration at 51 dogs,” ”This year, we will have two heats, an early one and a later one, so we can have up to 100 dogs registered.”  This year bleachers are added to help the spectators view the races. “The bleachers will be on either side of the course, so it will be a lot of fun.” said Jeff.  The bleachers are courtesy of the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado County Western Slope.  A portion of the funds from the races will go to the Safe Pet Program at the Center for Violence-free Relationships.

“We will also have a show of strength contest where a person holds out a stein of beer for as long as he or she can,” said Winzeler, “and there will be both a men’s and a women’s beer chugging contest on the stage, too.”

kids’ activities and games will be held and this year a large inflatable slide has been added for extra fun at the west end of Main Street.  Dance demonstrations of all sorts and a German costume contest will be held at the Belltower stage.
 

 
Schedule of Events
September 22, 2012
 Tapping of the Keg 3:00 – 3:15 Bell Tower
 Servers’ Race 3:15 – 4:00 Bell Tower
 Kids Games 3:00 – 7:00 320 Main
 Kids Dance Demo 3:30 – 4:00 348 Main
 Wiener Dog Race 1
 Registration 4:00 Racecourse
 Race 4:30
 Mighty Mug Contest (Strength)
 Women’s 5:00 Stage
 Men’s 5:15 Stage
 Wiener Dog Race 2
 Registration 5:30 Racecourse
 Race 6:00
 Bavarian Dance Demo 6:00 Stage
 Chugging Champion
 Women’s 7:00 Stage
 Men’s 7:15 Stage
Live Music 4:00 – 8:00 Stage
Chicken Dancing Various Times & Locations
Costume Contest Various Times & Locations

Here are some great Placerville Oktoberfest videos available for viewing on YouTube:

    Beer chugging

    Chicken dance

    Weiner Dog Race Guidelines

    Weiner Dog Races

    Server's Races

    Costume Contest (Dirndl Dress? Lederhosen?)

1. Hair Accessories: While you can wear a dirndl with any hair color, you won’t be a true Oktoberfest Gretchen without a blonde wig.

2. Blouse: Dirndl blouses come in all shapes and sizes so make sure you pick the right one for your style. If you’re going to Oktoberfest to show the kids or grandkids all about German culture, then a high-cut, traditional blouse is probably the right one for you. If you’re going to Oktoberfest for the beer, you may want a more daring lower-cut blouse.

3. Bodice: A bodice can come in many colors and styles. It can attach to the blouse or come separately. It lets you stay classy while still getting the boys’ attentions.

4. Dirndl: While the blouse and bodice are equal parts of what makes up a dirndl, the most recognizable feature is the dress and accompanying apron. Traditional dirndls extend to a woman’s ankles are are the favored dress of rural German women. Nowadays you can find a dirndl, or dirndl-style dress in hundreds of varieties!

5. Stockings: They’re stockings. They’re white, they look like socks, and they’re purely a fashion accessory.

6. Shoes: If you’re planning on wearing a dirndl to Oktoberfest you need to make sure to wear comfy shoes. Nothing says sexy like a pair of heels, but Oktoberfest is a huge place. Go for flats, or low heels if you want to make some noise on the dance floor.

7. Beer Stein Handbag: It’s not Oktoberfest without beer! Make some new friends when they come ask you where you got such a cool handbag.

8. Beer Stein: The only way to drink beer in Munich is from a stein. But don’t call it a stein in Germany! The locals call it a Mass (Maß). Buy one at the Wine Smith and see how much beer they give you.

9. Alpine Hat: Typically made from felt, an Alpine hat takes inspiration for its name and shape from the Tyrol region in the alps. It usually comes with a band wrapped around its base with a feather attached to the string. These hats look great on their own, and look even greater with each beer consumed.

10. Trachten Shirt: You can’t wear any ol’ shirt under a pair of lederhosen. An outfit so awesome requires an equally awesome shirt underneath. Traditional trachten shirts come in plain white or a checked pattern in a simple color.

11. Lederhosen: Lederhosen, not to be confused with its longer cousin bundhosen, is the traditional outfit for men at Oktoberfest.

12. Socks: They’re kind of like stockings, but for men.

13. Boots: You’ll see some people wearing them. You might think it looks cool. It’s not. Wear these instead.