Haarener Oktoberfest: a festival of tradition and Rhenish joie de vivre!

Haarener Oktoberfest: a festival of tradition and Rhenish joie de vivre!

The Haarener Oktoberfest, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, is a festival that is deeply rooted in tradition and attracts thousands of visitors every year. In a festively decorated marquee, which extends over 3200 square meters and shines in the typical Bavarian Karo design, the guests gather from the region and beyond to celebrate Bavarian culture.

On Friday evening, the organizers, especially Herbert Mevissen, one of the managing directors of the Oktoberfest Committee, were waiting for the highly expected barrel tapping. Despite the nervousness that an event of this size brings, the anticipation predominates for a big party. "Of course I am nervous," admitted Mevissen and added that the preparations to host more than 10,000 Ogris from the area were an enormous task.

tradition and conviviality

The festively dressed visitors who presented themselves in dirndls, lederhosen and traditional costumes contributed to the special flair. "The costume is part of it," remarked Mevissen and thus underlined the importance of the Bavarian tradition, which is alive in the Haaren Oktoberfest. The drummer corps Haaren opened the evening with a solemn invasion, and the audience was eagerly awaiting the tapping, which symbolizes a centuries -old tradition.

Mayor Heinz-Josef Schramen carried out the barrel tapping with flying colors. While the mayor of Munich is known for a record of two strokes, scratches only needed half a dozen to tap the wooden barrel. This not only underlines his experience, but also the loose, inviting ambience of the Haarener Festival.

What the Haaren Oktoberfest takes off from other events is the sociable atmosphere that is emphasized by the organizers. "We don't bind people to the tables," said Managing Director Marcus Laufens. This enables guests to move freely and get into conversation with old acquaintances, which gives the festival a family character. "You know people," said Laufens and spoke about the tradition that is passed on for generations.

guests came not only from the immediate vicinity, but also from neighboring countries and regions such as the Netherlands and the Mönchengladbach area. The variety of visitors contributes to the lively atmosphere of the festival.

voluntary work and organization

The organization of the Oktoberfest is the result of years of voluntary work and dedication. Three local clubs-the Carnival Association Kluser Pappmule, the St. Johannes Rifle Brotherhood and the drummer and Pfeifer corps-put a lot of passion in the festival. "We are planning all year round," said Laufens. Preparations start again thirteen months after the last October festival. A special team of twelve men even takes a week on vacation to help build the festival tent. This voluntary support is the key to the success of the event.

The prices for food and drinks are relatively affordable. While beer in Munich costs between 13.60 and 15.30 euros, guests in Haaren can enjoy half a liter of Löwenbräu for 6.50 euros. This not only makes the festival a cultural highlight, but also a financial attraction.

"The Oktoberfest in Munich is a business model. Haaren is in love with", Laufens stated and described the warmth that distinguishes the Haaren Oktoberfest. "There is a lot of volunteer work in here." This attitude and passion make the festival a unique experience for everyone involved.

Musically, the Oktoberfest brought variety this year. Various bands occurred on the festive days, which represents a welcome change to previous years in which a single band contested the entire weekend. Friday started with the appearance of Ois Easy, followed by Blechblos’n on Saturday and a morning pint with the Wülferhäuser on Sunday, which encouraged guests to move and celebrate.

The Haaren Oktoberfest combines the betting of regional culture with a warm atmosphere and flows into an event that not only celebrates tradition, but also strengthens the community.

For more information about the Haarener Oktoberfest, interested parties can have a comprehensive report at www.aachener-zeitung.de read.