Oktoberfest of Blumenau

The Oktoberfest of Blumenau is a festival of German traditions that happens in middle October in the city of Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil.[1] It is considered the biggest German festival in the Americas,[2][3] and the one of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations, along with the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest and after the original Oktoberfest from Munich.[4]

Oktoberfest of Blumenau

It takes place at Parque Vila Germânica (Germanic Village Park), located in the Bairro da Velha (District of the Old Woman), and lasts for 18 days.

History
Granpa and Granma Chopão on a float at a parade during the Oktoberfest

The Oktoberfest of Blumenau was created in 1984, after a big flood of the Itajaí-Açu river, with the objective of recuperating the city's economy and raising the morale of its inhabitants.[1] Even before that, owners of industries and commercial buildings in the city were already planning to start a festival like the original from Munich, but the flood was an important event that set the festival in motion.[2][3] Since its first edition it has been a success, and today it has an attendance of about than 700,000/year. The event features folk dance (Tanzgruppen), shooting matches (Schützenvereine), German singing, folk costume and german cuisine. "Fritz" and "Frida" are the typical German characters. The "Vovó e Vovô Chopão" (Grandma and Grandpa Chopão, "Big Beer") are the official symbolic characters of the event.[5]

In August 2020, officials cited the COVID-19 pandemic as grounds to push back the dates to November. But by early October, they decided to go on hiatus until 2021.

Queen of the Oktoberfest
Queen and Princesses of Oktoberfest and Miss Blumenau

A Queen of Oktoberfest is chosen every year. There are 10 candidates, who must compete wearing costumes in the categories of posture, resourcefulness on the catwalk, communication skills, beauty, and friendliness. If there are more than 10 candidates, there is a pre-selection. The first 3 are classified; the 1st place is elected as the Queen of Oktoberfest, followed by the 1st and 2nd Princess of Oktoberfest.[6]

National Competition of Chopp in Meter Drinkers
Contestants preparing for the National Competition of Chopp in Meter Drinkers during the Oktoberfest in Blumenau

The National Competition of Chopp in Meter Drinkers is a competition that takes place during the event. By its rules, the competitor has to drink one meter of beer (600ml tulip) without drooling or taking the tulip off the mouth, the winner being whoever drinks in the least amount of time. Each night of the competition there is a winner, and at the end of the event it is known who has the fastest time on all days of competition in the two suits, male and female.[7]

References
  1. "História" (in Portuguese). Site OktoberfestBlumenau. Archived from the original on 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  2. Júnior, Antônio Bittelbrunn (2007). "Turismo e desenvolvimento regional: o caso Oktoberfest de Blumenau – Santa Catarina" (in Portuguese). Blumenau: FURB. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  3. Silva, Leonardo furtado dan (2009). "Governança e territorialidade no ecodesenvolvimento turístico regional: o caso Oktoberfest de Blumenau" (in Portuguese). Blumenau: FURB. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  4. "Top 10 Oktoberfest's around the world". Skyscanner. 2011-09-19. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  5. "História" (in Portuguese). Vovô Chopão - official site. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  6. "Concurso Rainha Oktoberfest" (in Portuguese). Oktoberfest of Blumenau - Official page. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  7. "Chope em Metro" (in Portuguese). Oktoberfest of Blumenau - Official page. Retrieved 2012-10-17.

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