You might call me a connoisseur of festivals. My poor husband gets subjected to every fair/festival/anything-ending-in-fest I can talk him into and October is his favorite month to get dragged to events because undoubtedly it's just a slew of party gimmicks guised as appreciation for the German culture celebrated by raising one too many steins. And he has a liter stein.
Enter Long Beach Oktoberfest in its first year. For $15 you get admission to the festival which includes unlimited rides. Yes, you heard me right. Everything from the zipper, sky diva, carousel and hang gliding to the Tilt-A-Whirl was included in the $15 ($13 presale) price. For $35 ($30 presale) you get admission including unlimited rides, a Bavarian feast and a beer.
The Bavarian feast consisting of a bratwurst, potato salad, sauerkraut and red cabbage slaw is higher quality (Bristol Farms catered) than anything I've had at the Old World or Alpine Village Oktoberfests but slightly overpriced for $15 a plate. There are so many other more wallet friendly vendors offering German Pancakes ($5), Hand rolled Pretzels ($4) and oddly, Hawaiian, Cajun and Mexican food.
There is a lot that sets this Oktoberfest apart from the other party hardy harvest festivals. First, instead of being stuck in a small tented or cramped area, the rides, games, food vendors, Ooompopop entertainment and dance floor, merchandise vendors are all spread far out so you can walk, talk, drink, play, dance and ride resulting in hours of entertainment.
I recommend loading up on drink tickets. 1 drink ticket is $5 and will buy you a 20 oz beer or, if you're lucky enough to run into the adorable shot gal, 1 test tube of Jager. It can also buy you a glass of wine. 2 drink tickets will buy you a vodka punch concoction they call a Chicken something or other. It's tasty and a good alternative for boys and girls who don't enjoy the brew.
If you are in a group happy to share food, try 1 Bavarian plate, 1 order of German pancakes, 1 hand rolled pretzel and 1 small order of Cajun shrimp per 2-3 people so you can get a taste of the best the festival has to offer.
Make sure you get a picture at the photo booth ($0) where you can dress up in various German hats, boas, necklaces, beer goggles and chicken gear to commemorate the occasion. They'll email you the picture at no charge.
When you're done getting your fill of rides, shopping and carnival games, grab a table by the band, help some people build the requisite cup pyramid, and get your chicken dance on.
A few things to note: because it's the first year, it wasn't crowded. No lines for ANYTHING skews this review with rosy lenses.
They do not have any German beers. That's right, in lieu of Spaten you get Sam Adams Oktoberfest or Boston Lager and I believe Coors Light.
Because the 'Fest is on El Dorado Park grounds, there will be unevenness in the walking areas. Avoid heels for the sake of saving your Louboutins from getting muddy and you sinking into the ground.
Parking is easy and abundant but beware of mud ditches. We saw a minivan get stuck because the driver didn't avoid the obvious muddy area. It's a bumpy ride once you get on the grass, leave your lowered car at home.
This is a kid friendly Oktoberfest. If you are looking for a huge drinking only party, there is a space for that near the Biergartens but there will be little ones running around the rest of the festival grounds.
Long Beach Oktoberfest, you will be my number one southern California Oktoberfest venue from now on as long as you keep the lines short, the prices cheap, entertainment value high, the food good and the service pleasant like it was the first year every year. read more