Confessions of Twelve Wiesn Experts Unveiled, from Sunset to Proposal
In the heart of Bavaria, the annual Oktoberfest celebration in Munich is a time-honoured tradition, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a fair share of the unexpected. This year's edition, held under the blue Bavarian sky with its little stars, was no exception.
Thomas Roiderer, the landlord of the Hacker-Festzelt, shared a heartwarming story about an employee named Ronny. For about ten years, Ronny slept in a tent every night under the Oktoberfest sky. This unique living arrangement, while unconventional, is a testament to the spirit of the Wiesn.
Elsewhere, a Munich couple is offering a one-of-a-kind experience, transforming their living room into a mattress camp for Oktoberfest-goers. This innovative approach allows revellers to immerse themselves in the festivities without leaving the comfort of a home-away-from-home.
Security personnel at the Oktoberfest are no strangers to unusual incidents. In a surprising revelation, they admitted that dealing with bodily fluids is a regular part of their job, with some situations even surpassing the challenges they face during potential interventions.
City councilor Anja Berger had a close call before the tapping Saturday 2023. She caught a cold at the Metzgersprung in the rain, but an immunity booster via infusion in the museum tent saved her just in time for the festivities.
The Oktoberfest tales are not limited to human antics. In 2014, Löwenbräu landlord Wiggerl Hagn's imposing lion was missing its tail. Luckily, it had only fallen off and not been stolen.
Cedric Schwarze, who served in the Schottenhamel tent for the fourth time last year, has a memorable story to share. Known as the 'Pissrinne Hendl,' it's a tale of a rather drunk man who urinated into a urinal containing a half-eaten grilled chicken, and another person who ate from it.
The Augustiner Festhalle has its own share of stories. One involves a member of a legendary Stammtisch vomiting his dentures into a trash can outside.
In 1983, there was a brief moment of Paulaner beer at the Hofbräu Tent, and no one noticed. Landlord Günter Steinberg masterfully navigated the crisis by getting a 200-liter barrel of Paulaner from his neighbour.
The person who used the bedroom of the Hacker-Festzelt for rest in 2014 remains unidentified in the available information.
Munich's most famous priest, Rainer Maria Schießler, once served tables at Oktoberfest and shared a taboo incident where he served at a colleague's table.
During a Trachtenumzug parade, opponents of the third runway laid down on the route, causing a brief disruption in the procession.
Maggy Prijak, a waitress at the Oktoberfest in Munich for over 35 years, has written a book titled 'Curious Stories and Survival Tips for Munich's Fifth Season.' In her book, she reveals that sexual activities occur more frequently than expected on the Oktoberfest grounds, not in secret, but openly in broad daylight, even in beer gardens.
Wiggerl Hagn once pretended to be responsible for disposing of the horse droppings of the brewery horses, but only did it once for a photo.
Peter Reichert, the owner of the Braurosl Wirt, has faced several challenges, including food sector violations and a shift from the Josef Menzl band to a party band in the evening program, causing a stir.
Several employees searched for the keg for 15 minutes before finding it, chilled but not in its usual spot. This minor mishap caused a moment of panic before the festivities could continue.
Karl-Heinz Knoll, president of the Festring, admitted that some participants in the Wirte-Einzug parade can get too excited and may need to be asked to leave due to intoxication.
Even well-known German entertainer Thomas Gottschalk has expressed criticism towards the traditional attire worn at the Oktoberfest. Despite these challenges, the spirit of the Wiesn remains unbroken, and the celebration continues to draw visitors from around the world.
