All is set for Oktoberfest Kampala 2018
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer and food festival (or Volksfest). Held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, it runs from late September to the first weekend in October, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year.
The Munich Oktoberfest originally took place during the 16 days up to, and including, the first Sunday in October. In 1994, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival would go on until October 3 (German Unity Day).
Other cities in Germany like Berlin, Hannover and Bavaria hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the original Munich event.
It is also celebrated in various capitals all over the world. Indeed, the Oktoberfest is one of the best exported aspects of German culture, in the world, with Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, India, Palestine, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United States, and Vietnam having the most prominent editions of this event.
Large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed, with 7.7 million liters served during the festival in 2013. Visitors may also enjoy a mixture of attractions, such as amusement rides, side stalls and games, as well as a wide variety of traditional food such as Hendl (roast chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Würstl (sausages) along with Brezen (pretzel), Knödel (potato or bread dumplings), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), Sauerkraut or Rotkohl/Blaukraut (red cabbage) along with such Bavarian delicacies as Obatzda (a spiced cheese-butter spread) and Weisswurst (a white sausage).
Theme
The thematic backdrop for Oktoberfest Kampala is defined by the following: ‘recognizing the friendship and strong cultural and economic partnerships between Germany and Uganda and celebrating this unique relationship through food, drink and the arts’.
Oktoberfest Kampala, 2017
Kampala has had a tradition of celebrating Oktoberfest. This celebration of food and beer and Bavarian culture has long been one of the major entertainment items of Kampala’s entertainment calendar. Until 2015, the usual event format was an indoor invitation-only event.
The event really took a hold last year when the 2017 edition of Oktoberfest Kampala really cemented its place in the city’s event calendar.
Oktoberfest Kampala, 2018
This September, we celebrate the 2018 edition of Oktoberfest Kampala.
Oktoberfest can be celebrated on any day between the 16th of September and the first weekend of October, but before the 3rd of October (which is the German Day of Unity).
The event will once again be held at the Uganda Museum Gardens on 29th September 2018.
Oktoberfest Kampala has evolved into the biggest beer, food and music festival in the nation’s capital, with activities that make it an excellent day out for the family and an evening for revelers.
The Uganda Museum gardens provide an excellent cultural venue for an event so steeped in tradition and culture.
It has developed to include greater linkages towards Oktoberfest Munich in terms of activities and greater similarities to the original event, with tents as stalls for activities and vendors make for a visually impressive event.
A merging of cultures is also reflected in the event. Activities attempt to reflect the friendship and strong cultural and economic partnerships between Germany and Uganda, an aspect captured by the presence of two German food vendors and the DJ music line-up that typifies the entertainment at the Oktoberfest Kampala.
Over the last two years, Oktoberfest Kampala is one of the events that have been identified by the Kampala Capital City Authority in its efforts to define the nation’s capital as an ‘Event Destination of the Region’.
With gates opening at noon, and the event ending at midnight, Oktoberfest Kampala, quite simply, has a lot going on.
- Costume Competition: Dressing up at Oktoberfest is part of the fun of the festivities, and Germany, while being a bustling, multicultural and thoroughly modern nation has strong cultural traditions with regards to wardrobe.
The traditional Bavarian costume is a common sight at Oktoberfest events, with lederhosen-clad visitors and local milkmaids. Men wear Lederhosen, while women wear Dirndls. It’s like being at one giant costume party, with outfits ranging from basic to very fancy, and this will be both pre-empted and encouraged by stalls providing costume options.
A team of judges headed by Rtf. German Ambassador Klaus Holderbaum and the proprietor of the popular fashion store Tina Brad Store, Christine Bradshaw, with gauge the costumes won by revelers at the event.
Prizes include a Business Class Return Air Ticket from Brussels Airlines to any destination in Europe.
- Traditional Oktoberfest games, including:
- The Beer Straw challenge;
- Tug-of war;
- Beer Pong;
- Arm wrestling,
- Stein (Beer Glass) Hoisting Challenge
- Beer Speed Drinking
- Eating Challenge
- Food and beverage vendors from Uganda and Germany;
- A ‘diva’ entertainment line-up with live music performances from effervescent Cindy,the hugely popular Naava Grey, Flautist Siima Sabitiand singer/song writer Afrie, who has a fiercely loyal fan base.
- Oktoberfest Kampala 2018 will also have a rave headlined by The Almost Famous DJs, and in keeping with the event theme, will feature DJ Mary Joe and DJ Xzyl.
The guest of honor to the event is Dr. Albrecht Conze, the current German Ambassador to Uganda, who will preside over ceremonial aspects of the event.
The main sponsors of this year’s edition of Oktoberfest Kampala are Kampala Capital City Authority, Yokuku, Radio One, Stanbic Bank, Yo Kuku!, NUMIDA, Brussels Airlines, Tents4U, Brunch Salads, Pink Coconut Décor, JUMIA Party, Cloud Core, Play Motion, and Tusker Lite.
Tickets
- Advance tickets otherwise known as ‘early bird’ tickets to the event will be sold at 15,000 supported under the Blue Weekend promotion by Stanbic Bank. These will be available at the Junction Bar and Uganda Museum.
- Tickets at the event itself will be sold under a two tier system:
- Discounted at Shs. 15,000, for revelers swiping with their VISA or MasterCards, under the Blue Weekendspromotion supported by Stanbic Bank. Note that any VISA card or MasterCard from any bank is eligible for this swiping.
- A flat price of Shs 20,000for revelers paying cash.
