Oktoberfest Zinzinnati guidepick

Do the chicken dance with a Reds great, then sample brews and brats galore

Metromix
September 13, 2011

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati guide
Ashley Herman, Dave Harten, Elizabeth Harten, Katie Harten, Stephen Harten and Caitlyn Wren toast the coming Oktoberfest at Mecklenburg Gardens. (Credit: Amanda Davidson | Metromix)

It's a true sign of fall's approach: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, two days of good ole German celebrating expected to draw half a million people to Cincinnati's downtown streets. We've got all you need to know about Oktoberfest's food, music and chicken dancing. And don't forget the beer. We certainly haven't.

Oktoberfest rolls out the fun

More varieties of beer than ever join German food, festivities

World's Largest Chicken Dance

pick World's Largest Chicken Dance

Fountain Square - Fifth and Vine streets - Cincinnati

Joe Morgan, Reds Hall of Famer, gets the big assignment

World Bratwurst Eating Championship

pick World Bratwurst Eating Championship

Downtown Cincinnati - Downtown Cincinnati - Cincinnati

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, the top-ranked competitive eater in the world, returns to defend his title.

Oktoberfest beer list

Pick your favorites from this list, and drink up

Oktoberfest entertainment

Music, dancing, stage schedules and who's strolling the streets

Oktoberfest food: Strudel, sauerkraut and more

Who's serving what from almond appetizers to cream puff desserts

pick Running of the Wieners

Fountain Square - Fifth and Vine streets - Cincinnati

The annual Running of the Wieners, from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, is open to dachshunds who agree to wear a hot-dog bun and run 100 feet across the square in heats of 10. Yeah, it's worth skipping lunch.

Oktoberfest Gemuetlichkeit Games

pick Oktoberfest Gemuetlichkeit Games

Fountain Square - Fifth and Vine streets - Cincinnati

Get a jumpstart on Oktoberfest by watching women run with impossibly large amounts of beer and wiener dogs run in absolutely ridiculous costumes. It all takes place on Fountain Square. The Gemuetlichkeit Games include the beer stein race and pretzel toss. Contestants race across Fountain Square with filled beer steins and are judged by both speed and the amount of beer left at the finish line.

HYPE Haus Party

pick HYPE Haus Party

Downtown Cincinnati - Downtown Cincinnati - Cincinnati

Heighten your Oktoberfest experience by joining the exclusive HYPE Haus party Saturday. HYPE, a Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber initiative, stands for Harnessing Young Professional Energy, so you know the kind of well-dressed crowd to expect. The party includes beer samplings, a light German buffet, private cash bar and entertainment.

10 things to do: Begin with a brew

Things you really shouldn't miss, based on the experiences of people who've been there

Download the Oktoberfest app

Navigate your way to food, beer and music

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