European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 15, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                " _ oktoberfest one of last year s visitors came to oktoberfest dressed in full bavarian garb. An overview of the fest grounds a few weeks before the beginning of oktoberfest. Dave Casey Lenty to do Heremy � & of for a Mem drink lots of Beer eat lots of food and spend lots of Money by Mark Kinkade staff writer legend says Munich s oktoberfest began in 1810 As a kind of Gigantic wedding reception for then grown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and his blushing Bride Princess Therese von Sachsen Hildburg Hausen. And it s easy to argue that the locals intent on impressing their future King with their loyalty continued to celebrate the nuptials each october. But there s really Only one reason the oktoberfest has managed to survive for 161 years despite wars cholera epidemics and various natural disasters. Beer. -.".  lots of Beer. As in millions of liners. From sept. 18 to oct. 3, six major German breweries will play Host to an estimated 6.5 million visitors from around the world in massive tents on Munich s Theresie Wiese. For 16 Days fest goers will drink roughly 4.8 million liners 1.2 million Gallons of Beer eat about 190,000 pairs of pork sausages and gobble More than 60 full sized roast oxen according to festival organizers. And poultry lovers will devour an enormous flock of More than 750,000 chickens. All that Beer and food has to go someplace so the Munich tourist office the organizing office for the fest plans to have almost 1,200 toilets available on the Fairgrounds. Party people with Strong constitutions can pull themselves away from the 10,000-seat Beer tents and take a spin on one of nearly 50 carnival rides or take a Chance at one of the 45 game Booths squatting near the Entrance of the Theresie Wiese. The fest will generate nearly 1 billion German Marks for the local government fest officials said. Most of that will come from the fest itself with a Large portion of the Money churned into the Economy from hotel restaurant and souvenir purchases. But anyone planning to visit the fest May be too late if they want More than a one Day trip said Alan r. Wissenberg president of Euraide an English speaking tourism assistance office at the Munich train station. People who want to stay in Munich during the fest Are out of Luck,".Wissenberg said. Those hotel rooms have been booked for months. Those that come available through cancellations will be extremely expensive. It s a Little late to be making overnight plans for  All is not lost however for the die hard partner he said. Many smaller communities around Munich still have available hotel rooms and subways trains and streetcars run regularly to outlying suburbs he said. Tourism assistants in Wissenberg s office offered several tips to make a trip to the fest enjoyable plan a one Day trip to the fest. Taking the train to Munich is easier than dealing with the traffic and a single Day trip will be far less expensive than a weekend or extended stay during the fest. The train May be crowded to and from the fest but it beats fighting the already difficult Munich traffic through streets under endless repair. Be prepared to pay. Officials said prices in Munich skyrocket during the fest. For example most decent hotel rooms regularly rent for about $100. But Wissenberg said the rate will easily double during the oktoberfest. Similarly food souvenirs and other Basic items will also go up in Price. If you re intent on staying More than one Day take advantage of the Opportunity to see other sights in town. Munich is a magnificent City full of sights museums and things to do. During the fest business tends to drop off at Many of the City s Best restaurants pubs and tourist attractions. Fewer people mean better service and less hassle. If you use a Cirrus Bank card be advised automatic Teller machines on the Cirrus network Are rare. Citibank outlets Are the main exception and cards from merchants National Bank work at these machines. There s an atm across from the Haupt Bohnhof or train station but banking officials in Munich warn that sometimes the Bank won t accept the card of another Bank if the German Mark rate is poor. Also Don t be surprised if a merchant or hotel does t accept visa charge cards. Ask in Advance or you la pay a hefty fee on a credit Advance through the automatic Teller machines. While the thought of More than 6 million people slurping suds gnawing oxen and lining up for toilets May seem a Little overwhelming Wissenberg and his associates said taking part in the oktoberfest is a must for people living in Europe. If you were going to go to just one German City it would probably be Munich Wissenberg said. And if you were going to go to just one big party it would probably be oktoberfest. This is a Don t miss " 8 stripes Magazine september 15, 1994