Fall Things To Do As We Countdown To Halloween Day 198

Oktoberfest In April Oktoberfest Type Celebrations Around The Country

Are there really spring oktoberfests in the U.S.?  I just received an email about one right here in my home town of Philadelphia.  A little research finds several more spring events such as Fruhlingsfest, Maifest, Siftugfest, and Springtoberfest.

Spring O-K-T-O-B-E-R-F-E-S-T in Philadelphia April 26, 2014

What began as a small dance performance back in 1925 has transformed into the award winning Gebirgstrachten-Verein-Almrausch Schuhplattler dance club.  Saturday, April 26th they will hold their 89th STIFTUGSFEST celebration.  If there can be Christmas in July events then this is the equivalent of an Oktoberfest in April celebration.  The GTV Almrausch dance club has performed at numerous events all over the east coast.  They are well known in the Philadelphia community for their annual dance in the Mummers Parade.  Music Oom-Pah is provided by THE CONTINENTALS.  Doors open at 6 pm at The Cannstatter located at 9130 Academy Road, Philadelphia.  So dress up in your lederhosen or dirindls and has some beer, bratwurst, great food, and dance the night away.  Contact RoseMary at 856-482-6745 for ticket information.

Fager’s Island Springtoberfest Battle Of The Brews
On Saturday, April 26, 2014 the popular Fager’s Island will host their annual Springtoberfest event.  Cost is just $35 in advance for this all you can German style menu complete with a tasting glass for more than 50 craft beers to sample.  Event is located at 201 60th Street, Ocean City, Maryland.  Sponsors include Yards Brewing, Dogfish Head Craft Brewed, 3rd Wave Brewing, Fin City Brewing, and more.

Sonnenalp brings Bavarian Springtoberfest to Vail Colorado
Popular resort hotel Sonnenalp in Vail hosted their annual Bavarian Springtoberfest on April 12th.

Tomball Texas German Heritage Festival in March
The annual Oktoberfest in March celebration was held on March 28-30, 2014.  This carnival and music festival is complete with lots of beer drinking and crafts.  It is one of the largest spring celebrations in the country.

Fruhlingsfest Spring Festival is Little Sister to Oktoberfest in Germany
Heurich House Museum in Washington, DC. will host their first annual Fruhlingsfest on April 26th, 2014.  The museum was the former home to Christian Heurich and was known as the Brewmaster’s Castle.  Heurich Brewing was one of the largest employers in Washington during the late 19th century.  The event includes a scavenger hunt, Maypole dancing, face painting, and relay races.  Of course there will be great beers, a pig roast, ice cream and German themed music.

Fruhlingsfest or Spring Festival Held At Canstatter Wasen in Stuttgart
Stuttgart holds the Canstatter Volksfest in October which draws nearly 4 million people to their Oktoberfest type event.  Their spring event is Fruhlingsfest which runs April 17th to May 9th, 2014.  This is a huge German event including roller coasters, ferris wheels, a free-fall tower and of course the traditional German food and dance.

I know we did not hit them all but there are plenty of German heritage festivals around the country all year.  Hope you find one near you and enjoy the music, dance, food, and drink.