They came, they saw and they quenched their thirsts with merriment befitting German tradition.
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Thousands of lederhosen-clad blokes and Bavarian beer maids descended on Wollongong’s German Club to fill their steins in celebration of Oktoberfest.
About 120kegs of beer were consumed by patrons during the three-day festival, which showcases a range of German beers, traditional foods and entertainers.
Secretary manager of the German Club Wollongong, Andrew Gunn, said the festival, which is in its 26th year in the Illawarra, really captured the spirit of its German counterpart.
‘‘More and more people, every year, come dressed in the traditional lederhosen,’’ Mr Gunn said.
‘‘The people at Oktoberfest don’t dress up as much as they do here apparently, so it’s a positive thing that people are getting into the spirit of it.’’
Pork knuckles, schnitzels and German sausages were among the traditional delicacies enjoyed by the 5000-odd people who flocked to Kembla Grange during the festival. They were also treated to oom-pah music, yodelling, European dance and theatrical performances.
‘‘It has been a good weekend, most people have behaved and enjoyed it. There are a few idiots that like to ruin it for everybody but we deal with them pretty quickly,’’ Mr Gunn said.
Oktoberfest dates back to 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria threw a party for citizens celebrating his marriage to Princess Therese on October 12.
It has grown to an annual event celebrated around the world.