Oktoberfest 2010 in Phoenix

If you like beer then the 2010 Oktoberfest coming this weekend should be excitement enough, but it's also the 200th anniversary of the original Oktoberfest in Germany which is unlike anything you'll see in Phoenix and should be on your list of things to do before you ______ (fill in the blank).  

I'm Polish so I should have a lot to gripe about the Germans.  The Polish and German history is one filled with conflict and distrust some of which continues to this day, but this is the minority: unfortunately some are politicians on both sided of the border.  The history is worth a read.  

Anyway we share a lot as well.  Women, sauerkraut, beer, sausage, potatoes, land, history, beer and beer.  

Oktoberfest is not all about beer, but that's what comes to mind. The even in Phoenix is very family oriented.

Where:

Saturday October 9th – 10 am to 9 pm 
Margaret T. Hance Park 200 East Moreland - in Downtown Phoenix
(Above the deck tunnel)

It's not free, but none of the good things in life are.

"Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon will perform the traditional tapping of the Warsteiner keg, kicking off the 5th Annual Phoenix Old World Oktoberfest opening ceremonies at 12 noon, Saturday, October 9th, 2010 at Margaret T. Hance Park (1134N. Central Ave., Phoenix 85004) in downtown Phoenix. 

This year also marks the 200th Anniversary of the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, organized in celebration of the marriage of Bavarian King Ludwig I in 1810 as a "volksfest," which has continued to this day as a popular annual tradition. 

In commemoration of this anniversary, a German couple (the bride is from Germany, and the groom is American of German descent) will be married across the street from the Phoenix Oktoberfest at Grace Lutheran Church and will lead a traditional parade to the Oktoberfest event." (from the PhoenixOktoberfest.com website)