Best In America: Tulsa Oktoberfest Kicks Off, Celebrating 45 Years Of Bavarian Tradition

Tulsa Oktoberfest enters its 45th year, having been ranked #1 in America by USA Today.

The celebration of Bavarian culture has food, drinks, music, rides and an arena with daily games and competitions.

“We think that people really enjoy the sport of it all, a little fun competition, the opportunity to be able to go home with one of our prize medals and just the bragging rights,” said Tulsa Oktoberfest Games Director Randolph Howl.

The three games are the Bier Barrel Race, Masskrug Relay, and Stein Hoist.

“You and a team member roll a barrel all the way down our lawn games and competitions arena and then back, best time wins,” said Howl, describing the Bier Barrel Race.

Those races begin at 6:20 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights of Oktoberfest. Then, at 7:20 p.m., the first Masskrug Relay begins.

“You and a team member have to carry as many steins as possible down the field and back, all timed,” Howl continued, saying, “We do that for our prize; we have incredible medals.”

At 8:20 p.m. is the world-famous Stein Hoist. “Teams of men and women compete to see who can hold up a stein the longest,” he said.

The games are a test of strength, speed, and teamwork and are rooted in Bavarian traditions.

“The Masskrug Relay is based on, in Munich when the servers come, they try to carry as many beers as possible all at the same time, so it is a reflection of that,” said Howl.

In a search to make Tulsa Oktoberfest as authentic as possible, its team of organizers travel to Germany every year. They even go as far as importing picnic tables to place throughout the festival grounds.

“Our Oktoberfest is the best because we strive to emulate what is happening in Munich,” said Howl. “Every year we send people over to see what they are doing, how they are decorating the tents, what games and stuff they are doing. We are, hands down, one of the most authentic celebrations of Bavarian culture you can experience in the United States.”

Tulsa Oktoberfest is open to the public on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 4 p.m.-11 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.-1 a.m., and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.