September 23-29, 2004

mixpicks

Going Deutsch

Tami Fertig

The people who first brought us Oktoberfest—Germany's annual commemoration of Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen's royal wedding—wanted to get the festivities started early due to a particularly nasty October chill. That's cool. Bratwurst and beer go down well any time of year, and what's in a name, anyway? Oktoberfest happens this weekend—short of October but long enough to satisfy your needs. With a car and a will, you could make it to every event.

Start out at the 34th Annual German-American Steuben Parade, which will march through Philadelphia's Mayfair section in honor of General Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben, a German who fought for America in the Revolutionary War. (Sat., Sept. 25, 2 p.m., Frankford Ave. from Welsh Rd. to Knorr St.) Afterwards, follow the crowd to the United German Hungarian Club for the Bavarian Folks Festival Society's 126th Original Bavarian Oktoberfest, the oldest of its kind in the Delaware Valley. In addition to traditional German food and beer, there'll be live music, dancing, soccer games and "a lot of drunk, happy people standing on tables," says Club Secretary Ed Tokarski. (Fri., Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.-midnight, Sat.-Sun., Sept. 25-26, noon-10 p.m.; $5, additional cost for food and beer, 4666 Bristol Rd., Oakford, 215-357-9851, www.ughclub.us.)

Head back to the city for Ludwig's Garten's sixth annual Oktoberfest street party, where they promise you'll feel like you're in Munich under the big tent—lederhosen and sauerkraut aplenty. Five bucks will get you a fancy beer, 10 bucks a heaping platter of food. Watch the roasting pig and 10-piece German band for free. (Sat., Sept. 25, noon-9 p.m., 1315 Sansom St., 215-985-1525.)

End the weekend in style with Oktoberfest at Glen Foerd, inside a historic mansion that once housed a German family for over 70 years. Windjammers German Band and G.T.V. Almsrausch dancers will entertain, while you stuff your face. There's unlimited food and beer. Get a ticket early. (Sun, Sept. 26, 2-5 p.m., $25-$30, reservations required, 5001 Grant Ave., 215-632-5330.)