What a pleasant surprise to learn that in Cincinnati, they celebrate Oktoberfest in September. Unfortunately Todd and I missed the ceremonious tapping of the kegs and beer barrel roll this morning. We purposely decided to wait until AFTER the World's Largest Chicken Dance to head down to Fifth Street. Walking down Main Street we were asked for money by three different panhandlers, who must have been having a field day approaching all the white drunk people who were walking away from Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. Before we even arrived on Fifth street (they closed down 7 whole blocks for this shindig) I spotted my first Chicken Hat. In traditional German culture their are the well known cultural icons, such as lederhosen, schnitzel, beer, beer wenches, accordion music, and then the lesser known tokens such as chicken hats and Vince Neil performing the chicken dance.

Cincinnati, or Zinzinnati as it is called this weekend, is out of its mind, absurdly crazy for Oktoberfest. Todd and I ate: a German Pretzel, Potato Pancakes, a Lebanese inspired bratwurst, roasted almonds and Cherry Strudel. We listened to the Chicken Dance, the Beer Barrel Polka and the Shes-Too-Fat Polka. (Which goes: "i don't want her, you can have her she's too fat for me, hey!) We saw more Lederhosen than we can count, along with women in traditional Bavarian inspired costumes. There were people drinking out of decorative beer steins and plastic Miller Lite cups. I wish I had a camera to take a pictures of the insanity we saw today. The best part is that we can go back tomorrow and see some more!