Glendale has shared a Sister City relationship with Memmingen, Germany, since 1976. This year, Glendale Sister Cities is celebrating 49 years of friendship and cultural exchange with a special event.
On Sept. 19, Glendale Sister Cities will host “Kickoff to Oktoberfest” at the Glendale Civic Center, introducing Glendale and surrounding communities to Memmingen’s Original Bavarian Brass Band. While Oktoberfest is typically celebrated in October in the United States, the traditional festival in Germany begins in late September. This year, it runs from Sept. 20 through Oct. 5.
The event begins at 6 p.m. and will include a German dinner buffet, a cash bar featuring German beer and wine, music, dancing, a 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Proceeds will benefit Glendale Sister Cities’ youth programs, including international youth leadership conferences and student exchange opportunities.
The Original Bavarian Brass Band, often called the “Bavarian Texas Band,” earned its nickname after pilots from Luke Air Force Base trained in Memmingen and invited the band to perform in Texas. With Texas’ large German-American population, the group quickly gained popularity and has returned for numerous events. This year, the 22-piece brass band will travel to Glendale before continuing a U.S. tour.
“Kickoff to Oktoberfest” offers residents an opportunity to experience authentic German music and celebrate alongside Glendale’s Sister City partners.
Tickets are available through the Glendale Sister Cities website at glendaleazsistercities.org, which links to Eventbrite for purchases.
A Brief History of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest began on Oct. 12, 1810, in Munich, Bavaria, when Crown Prince Ludwig invited the city to celebrate his marriage. The festival became an annual tradition, eventually expanding in length and moving to September for better weather and longer days. Beer became a central focus as brewers used the event to empty kegs before the new harvest. Today, Oktoberfest draws more than 7 million visitors annually from around the world.