Cincinnati's Oktoberfest: a proud tradition since 1976

Every year since 1976, Cincinnati has hosted the largest Oktoberfest in the United States, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city’s riverfront to celebrate its deep-rooted German heritage.

The city’s Oktoberfest tradition began as a way for German immigrants to preserve their culture and bring some of their home to the Midwest. Over the years, the festival has grown from a local gathering to a national attraction. Only Munich, Germany, has a bigger Oktoberfest celebration anywhere in the world.

About an hour north of Lexington, this year’s festival took place Sept. 18 to 21 at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove along the Ohio River. More than 700,000 people were on hand. German cuisine and beers were part of the fare, including steaming plates of bratwurst, mountains of sauerkraut, golden schnitzel, and salty pretzels. Traditional German bands, dancers, and local entertainers played during the day and evening.

Attendees may even try stein hoisting or watch wiener dog races, where costumed wiener dogs race for the championship. An annual event, the chicken dance drew crowds to the center stage, with event organizers estimating thousands flap their arms to the song each year. 

Sunday’s family day had something for all.

Children stood in line for face paint, carnival games, and puppet shows, while the adults sampled beers from local breweries and joined in on the fun. The family focus has attracted a whole new group of festival-goers. Throughout the weekend, the venue was filled with oompah and folk music, so there was entertainment for all different ages.

Oktoberfest in Cincinnati is more than food, fun, and music. It showcases Cincinnati’s German-American roots which date back for centuries. Oktoberfest brings visitors from all over the country and even some international travelers, which provides a major boost to local businesses, hotels, and cultural venues.

According to event organizers, the event generates millions of dollars in revenue for the city each year. Local vendors say the festival is the highlight of their year.

As this year's Oktoberfest came to an end, city officials were already making plans for next year, with rumors of new events and activities to look forward to.

For a lot of people in the greater Cincinnati area who are of German heritage, Oktoberfest is way more than a festival. It is a celebration of German history, culture, and legacy of Cincinnati.