Oktoberfest in September

[XLFD]

This weekend, on Friday and Saturday,the Downtown Ludington Board sponsored another Oktoberfest in cooperation with Bell's Beer (often spelt with a 'c' in other years).  What made it slightly odd was that the event took place fully in September.

Now, if I just made fun of them for poor scheduling, I would likely be made fun of for not understanding that it is not unheard of for having Octoberfests start in the month before October.  Surely, the original Oktoberfest celebrated the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess T... was on Oct. 12, 1810.  It lasted five days and was such a hit that it caught on in succeeding years even without a contingent royal wedding occurring.

The roots of Oktoberfest actually goes back to 15th century Bavaria.  The brewing season there ran from October to March. Beer brewed during the hot season tasted bad, so in late winter, brewers would work extra hard to make enough beer to last all summer. The high alcohol content and storage in casks in cool cellars and caves would preserve it.

After the summer’s grain was harvested, brewers needed to empty those casks to make room for the October start of the brewing season. People were happy to help, and often had to start drinking heavily and long to accomplish the task from September to early October.  It also helps that September weather is more accommodating for some activities enjoyed by revelers, so September became a starting point for future Oktoberfests.

This is why since the 1810 wedding, where much of the previous year's beer had been mostly consumed by early imbibers, the event has morphed into a two week festival almost always beginning in September and winding down in early October.  Over the years, the festival was extended and combined with finishing off the March beers, even though modern refrigeration and storage tech has made the need less necessary, evolving into today’s party attended by millions around the world in many different locales.  

                                                            Oktoberfest in modern Bavaria, not modern Ludington

So whereas, it may seem oddly amusing for the Ludington DDA to schedule their Octoberfest solely for a few hours in September, they are not effectively going against the Oktoberfest tradition (unlike their celebration of St. Patrick's Day on the Saturday nearest to the real holiday, March 17th).  It does seem to go against their stated objective to increase the length of the tourist season. 

Moving Ludington's Oktoberfest into September and putting up snow fences at Stearns' Park just after Labor Day both seem to indicate city leaders if anything are trying to shorten the tourist season.  On a walk out to the lighthouse early this pleasant October afternoon, I passed 32 people going the opposite direction on my way out and 23 on my way in, not counting the father taking his two kids out fishing midway to the beacon.  The fencing up across most of the beach, still looks untested by wind.  

It's enough to drive some to drink heavily in October for the missed opportunities.

[XLFD]

In our attempt to be fair and balanced, we should provide a picture of guys in lederhosen that Willy can further objectify by enhancing the knobbiness of their knees and Adam's apples, and the fullness of their manly beards.  What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[XLFD]

One other thing that I would mention, and hope it doesn't sound like a shameless plug for my other local business which actually brings in the big money.  My firewood selling stand on Dowland Street is admittedly not the best situated to attract area campers and backyard fire enthusiasts.  However, after years of selling between 300- 600 bundles of firewood going for $2 per bundle, this year the word has spread, the weather has been favorable, and if/when I sell the remaining 11 bundles I currently have out front, my sales this year will crest 1000 units.  These 11 bundles contain primo pieces of aged ash, oak, maple and even some cherry-- get yours before they run out, and have a meaningful backyard fire with your family and/or friends on these cold October nights.

It's been difficult keeping up with the increased demand, and it's likely you will see me raise the price to $2.50 next year just to be able to not get in a supply issue were my sales to increase the way they did this year. Thanks for your support!

[AQUAMAN]

Yup, sent a lot of fishermen your way X, and others too. That current $2 price can't be beat by anyone either, along with the quality. Hard to make change if it's an odd amount too, just fyi. Sad Willy is getting attacked right now, newbies, and needless to me, he only is trying to reflect the current fads that always change anyhow. Btw, that orig. pic. was taken in Bavaria, not around Ludington, so not to worry about it really. But Willy is still the best photographer here, and has a lot to add for The Torch members on more serious issues, thanks.

[Willy]

Thanks Aquaman. I agree, X sells the firewood at the cheapest prices in town. I also have told others about his merchandise.

When I see negative responses to my posts then I know I hit a nerve with posters. It makes conversations interesting.

[Pitt Viper]

Too bad calling a spade a spade doesn't sit well with you.

Negative responses?

Men only react to what females are doing. It certainly isn't the guys.

The people who attempt to make that very argument are in most cases, history shows, slime. The same kind of slime that cling to the other arguments people that adhere to that kind of thinking make.

So you dress that up and call it positive?

[shinblind]

Raise the price $3.00 for one bundle or $5.00 for two. Them you will sell out even faster.

[stump]

I am always set back on the people who condemn the morals of others and then come up with that crap.  How would someone know about this crap?   l Do you spend your time looking up big boobs or naked women on you tube?  I just hope I don't get spammed or a virus from that video.