If you don’t have the time or money to travel to the original Oktoberfest in Munich this autumn, fear not. Ober Gatlinburg hosts one of the world’s finest Oktoberfests outside of Deutschland.
Ober Gatlinburg’s Oktoberfest has been delighting locals and tourists for six years. It begins at the end of September and lasts all the way through month of October. This festival hosts a variety of both indoor and outdoor events right beside the scenic Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Of course, whenever people think of Oktoberfest, they immediately think of two things: food and beer. All of the food at the Ober Gatlinburg’s Oktoberfest is based around traditional Bavarian recipes. Guests will be able to taste all kinds of German goodies, including bratwurst, turkey legs, pretzels, and schnitzel. Also, the Seasons of Ober Restaurant offers seasonal specialties specifically for Oktoberfest, including a Bratwurst Sandwich, Jager Schnitzel, and a Frikadelle, which is a sandwich filled with ground beef, pork, and German wurst.
For all you beer lovers out there, the Outdoor Bier Garten is the place to be. Here you will be able to sample a wide variety of brews from noon to 6pm everyday. Every Saturday, guests can actually meet company representatives for the various beers available in the garden to learn more about their brewing techniques.
One of the famous treats at Ober Gatlinburg’s Oktoberfest is the Bavarian Funmakers Oompah Band. This band really gets into the spirit of the season, dressing up in traditional German lederhosen and performing a wide variety of folk songs, sing-a-longs, and traditional oompah music. These lads perform at the Seasons of Ober Restaurant at various times throughout the week. Organizers recommend anyone who wants a really good seat for this band must arrive at least 30 minutes before the show starts.
For anyone who brings their kids along to this event, there are plenty of outdoor activities here. In addition to outdoor games, this festival has two huge inflatables kids can jump around in, as well as face painting stands on the weekends.
Since you will be so close to all the other facilities at Ober Gatlinburg, there are plenty of sporting activities to take part in if you ever tire of Oktoberfest. Some of Ober Gatlinburg’s facilities include an ice-skating rink, an alpine slide, and even a brand new ski mountain coaster.
There is no better way to welcome in the fall season than with a refreshing German lager and a soft warm pretzel. If you really want to take in these festivities in style, it is a great idea to look into renting a cabin around this area to relax amidst the colorful leaves of autumn.
The German spirit really comes alive in Ober Gatlinburg this time of year. Be sure you mark a date on your calendar to join in all of the fun.