During Fall, people look forward to the warm colored leaves and cozy blankets; however, fall warmth in Texas is 90 degrees and all blankets will be kicked off within half an hour because it’s just too hot. Thankfully, Downtown McKinney stays adamant in allowing Texans to enjoy this highly anticipated season. This past weekend, Sept. 26-28, Downtown McKinney hosted its annual Oktoberfest, a festival which marries fall themes and German cultures, all for the general public!
Oktoberfest was first founded in Munich, Germany. On Oct. 12, 1810, the town gathered to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria. The following year, the celebration was combined with the state’s agricultural fair, which led to the addition of food and drinks to the festivities. By the late 1900s, Oktoberfest lasted a two-week-long period, ending on the first Sunday of October. As the celebration has diffused to other countries and cultures, its more authentic customs and traditions have lost its importance, but the celebration has now become an autumnal tradition nationwide.
In Downtown McKinney, the German festival began on Sept. 26. Despite it being a school and work day, the turnout was phenomenal. On the last day of the festival, Sunday, the festivities began at noon. Knowing that traffic would be an obstacle, my father wanted to leave at 10 a.m., and I had no choice but to follow his lead. Thankfully, he was right and we got to Downtown McKinney right before it looked like a stampede.
Even though we were early, all of the vendors had set up shop before noon. There were so many authentic German foods like bratwurst, sauerkraut and pretzels. Obviously, I had the most authentic food choice there: cheese-covered tater tots! My southern palate got the best of me, but those were probably the best potatoes I’ve had in a while. On such a hot day, I was so thankful for all of the beverage options, my favorite being a strawberry lemonade. The cups were huge, and even though they were annoying to carry around, I was happy that I could focus on the festival and not on my thirst.
The people of Downtown McKinney don’t mess around when it comes to Oktoberfest. There were so many couples and families dressed up in Lederhosens and Drindls. They weren’t the most authentic, but it definitely was cute! Downtown McKinney was also decked out in adorable decorations. There were arches and huge blow-up decorations, making great photo-ops for guests. Additionally, many restaurants and shops had Oktoberfest specials or promotions, like Square Burger’s bratwurst burger. All of the time spent and preparations made for Oktoberfest is really what made it worthwhile.
Aside from all of the German-themed festivities, Oktoberfest in Texas is truly just like any other fair or festival. Walking around, I saw several face-painted young children carrying cotton candy cones the size of their torso. I was so excited to see the one thing that everyone waits for at Oktoberfest: a big slide! If it weren’t for my paralyzing fear of heights, I would’ve gone down this attraction, but I stood happily cheering on random strangers as they slid down. If slides aren’t your thing, there was also a tall rock climbing game. There was truly something for everyone at Oktoberfest, so every attendee left with fun memories made.
Oktoberfest in Downtown McKinney not only brought a taste of German tradition to Texas but also fostered a sense of community and celebration. From the savory food to the fun attractions, the festival created a memorable trip for all attendees. It’s an event that is sure to be a highlight on the city’s calendar for years to come.
