Beerfest In Austria Next Month
By Sayanee, Gaea News NetworkSunday, July 18, 2010
ALTAUSSEE, AUSTRIA (GaeaTimes.com)- A small alpine village in Austria where life is almost standstill at most other times of the year, will be waking up to a beerfest to be organized in the village for three days next month. The three day festival which takes place every year reminds us of the more commercial and popular Oktoberfest in Germany. However residents in Austria are of the opinion that the annual beerfest is more intimate in nature when compared to Germany’s version.
This year marks the 50th year running of the Austrian beerfest. The fest will be held at Altaussee, a village near Vienna, from the 4th to the 6th of September. According to tradition it is compulsory for all to appear in Austrian garments for the beerfest. Thus the three day fest also gives an opportunity to all to don the dirndl or the lederhosen or maybe even the knee length socks.
The Austrian beerfest is organized by the local fire department every year. This festival is one of the biggest celebrations in Austria drawing huge crowds from not only the village of Altaussee but also the other Austrian cities, especially the Austrian capital Vienna. One of the chief sightings in the beerfest is the tug of war game played by the locals of the village. Being located only 300 kilometers from the capital city, the village of Altaussee becomes almost packed with large crowds every year towards the start of September. Along with beer, the chief items sold by the locals during the beerfest are sausages and roasted chicken. Celebrations accompany the playing of various instruments by local bands.
