[Kenner, LA] — Oktoberfest may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of Louisiana. But this is New Orleans, so any excuse for a party is a good one, right?
“Everybody knows New Orleans for its French and Spanish influences. The Germans have kind of been forgotten,” Keith Oldendorf, president of Deutches Haus told me. “We’ve gone underground,” joked member Charlie Rome.
In fact, Deutsches Haus has been working since 1928 to help change that perception. The German-American charitable and social organization fosters and promotes German heritage and culture in the Crescent City. In keeping with those goals, the group sponsors an annual Oktoberfest. This year’s event was held over two weekends in Kenner’s historic Rivertown area.
“Currently we have 600 members,” said Oldendorf. “Oktoberfest is our big fund-raiser for the year, and it’s all run by volunteers.”
Deutsch Haus’ Oktoberfest is family-friendly, with activities for young and old alike. “You have a lot of good German food, a lot of good German beers, German music — the Oom-Pah, things you don’t really traditionally hear or see in New Orleans,” Oldendorf said. “It’s a place to come, enjoy yourself, have a beer, some good bratwurst, and have a good time.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Deutsches Haus New Orleans: http://deutscheshaus.org
I don’t drink beer, but I really love Oktoberfest celebrations for the good food and ridiculous (I mean…. awesome?) outfits. Which is why I love most things, lol.
Good food and ridiculous outfits, what more could anyone want?
so cool! Your Oktoberfest looks so much fun! Thanks for sharing your photos with us.. Keep posting some more!
The best is the beer mug with the Lederhosen wrap. They don’t even have that one in Munich. I think I have to tell Mr Käfer (Munich’s prime caterer and owner of the best Oktoberfest tent).
You’re right, Inka, that is one cool beer mug!
How fun! We were just at Leavenworth today (german town), 2 hours from Seattle and was commenting on how we had missed Oktoberfest there! The festival in New Orleans looks like a whole lotta fun – something we should try next year!
It’s definitely worth coming to if you’re in NOLA.
Looks like a lot of fun. I have been to several Fests in the Texas Hill Country but none in La.
Any beer fest is bound to be a good beer fest, as long as there’s beer.