Do your best Clark W. Griswold impersonation at Oktoberfest!

It’s time to dust off your pair of lederhosen that have been languishing in the back of your closet, clean off the Hefeweizen you spilled on them last year and strap them on for Oktoberfest!  The Des Moines Oktoberfest starts this Friday, September 23rd (my birthday!) and continues through September 24th in the Court Avenue district of downtown Des Moines.   Attendees can enjoy everything that is German with tented beer gardens, Polka bands, authentic German food, and contests.  The 8th annual festival starts with the Tapping of the Golden Keg at 4 PM at 101 4th Street and 4th Street South of Court Avenue.  The 21 and older event will go until 1 AM each night and is happening rain or shine.

Oktoberfest runs September 23 & 24 in downtown Des Moines.

I’ve long wanted to frolic in the fun of an Oktoberfest celebration but have somehow never made it happen.  Being of German descent (my maiden name is “Gorsche” spelled just like the beautiful German automobile, “Porsche“) it almost seems tragic that I haven’t honored my forefathers by donning a tracht and imbibing with a group of drunken Germans.  Ever since I saw the movie European Vacation and watched Clark W. Griswold turn a harmless Bavarian dance into a fist fight, I knew my destiny was to throw back a boot at Hessen Haus while reveling in Polka music.  That time has come.

Since Oktoberfest actually begins on my birthday this year, the plan has been put in motion.  The evening will start with a Dead Moines burger from Zombie Burger + Drink Lab and will be followed by entrance to the greatest German party Des Moines has witnessed.  Make plans to share a boot with me and my pals and celebrate my birthday.  Just don’t ask how old I am.

German-themed costumes are encouraged and tickets are $7 in advance and can be purchased at all Des Moines area Hy-Vee stores or through tikly.co  If you can’t get them in advance, tickets will be $10 at the door and include two-day admission, mug and your first beer.