Cannstatter Wasen - Germany's Second Largest Beer Festival
Categories: Entertainment
In terms of size, the Stuttgart (Stuttgart vacation rentals | Stuttgart travel guide) Beer Festival is second only to the Oktoberfest in Munich (Munich vacation rentals | Munich travel guide). Cannstatter Wasen means more than 70,000 square feet of fun, gastronomic highlights, fast fun rides and nostalgia. The festival takes place every year for two weeks at the end of September and will be held for the 164th time this year (Sept. 25 — Oct. 11, 2009).
Originally the Cannstatter Wasen was a harvest festival, held to thank God and celebrate new beginnings after the whole region had been suffering from a drought for several years. Sponsored by King Wilhelm I, it took place for the first time on 28th of September 1818. According to historical records, already back then more than 30,000 participants and guests joined the celebrations and over the decades the number has consistently grown up to five million visitors from all over Germany and abroad during the last couple of years.
The festival provides two weeks of carefree fun with oompah bands in traditional costume inside the huge marquees as well as fairground attractions such as the Ferris wheel, roller—coasters and the old—fashioned merry—go—rounds outside. Away from the fun rides and festival tents there is also an open-air market, where you can buy everything your heart desires. The offers range from German souvenirs, hand—made jewelry and fashionable leather goods to herbs and spices. Of course there is also a great selection of typically German food, like hearty Käsespätzle (Swabian noodles with cheese), potato noodles with sauerkraut or crispy knuckles, which are an ideal base for many liters of delicious beer straight from the barrel.
[ source: cannstatter-volksfest ]
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Location, Map, and Driving Directions
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Opening Hours
from Sept. 25 until Oct. 11, 2009
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About this Article
This travel guide has been written by Kathrin Wagner.
She grew up in a small town in Bavaria and then studied Media studies, Literature and History in Erlangen and Munich. As a student she already spent half a year in London and moved back there after graduation in 2006. She is still living in London, where she works in publishing.
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