Cincinnati’s German rich heritage has not only sparked the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States but one of the largest in the world. Since its inception in 1976 the festival brings more than half a million patrons to the heart of our city from across the country and around the world specifically for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.

There are a couple of distinctions our fair city carries that no other can claim. One is a record set in 1998 for the World’s Largest Kazoo Band set to “When the Saints Go Marching In”. The second is the world’s largest Chicken Dance set in the Guinness Book of Records in the 1995-97 editions. The Crown Prince of Bavaria himself attended and helped set the record as 48,000 participated. There’s an impressive list of celebrities that have led the Chicken Dance which includes Olympians Mary Wineberg and David Payne, Ultimate Fighting Champion Rich Franklin and Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan to name a few.

On August 19th it was announced that George Takei will be this year’s Grand Marshal. Regarding his upcoming appearance at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, George Takei, added, “On September 20-21-22 I am beaming into Cincinnati to narrate “The Final Frontier” with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and my landing party away team has asked me to be part of Oktoberfest while I am exploring this sector of the galaxy. Join me September 21 at Fountain Square to do the chicken dance. I am boldly going where I have never gone before… Oh my!”

Activities including the Chicken Dance are held at the epicenter of our city, Fountain Square where the Tyler Davidson Fountain (The Genius of Water) can be found. This beloved landmark was cast in Munich, Germany which is home to the original Oktoberfest. The fountain is admired by visitors but cherished by residents with its inscription which reads, “To the People of Cincinnati.”

The people of Cincinnati and all the festival goers are one of the reasons the event will now have an earlier open. “Last year, we had a record crowd for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati and we expect an even bigger crowd with the Bengals hosting the Green Bay Packers on the same weekend,” said Patrick Sheeran, Vice President of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. “As America’s Oktoberfest—a world-class event, we want to roll out the beer barrels and the Alpin horns early to greet our locals and visitors.”

The record numbers of past participants were responsible for consuming mass amounts of German food including metts, brats, sauerkraut balls, strudel and even Limburger cheese.While indulging on all that wonderful food there are many events to attend in between including the following and much more: