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Oktoberfest is renowned as the world’s largest and most popular festival, a celebration that has captured the hearts of millions across the globe. But how did this grand event begin? The origins of Oktoberfest can be traced back over 200 years to a royal wedding in Munich, Germany. In October 1810, Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The wedding festivities were grand, lasting nearly a week from October 12th to October 17th. The celebration was capped off with a thrilling horse race, an idea proposed by Andreas Michael Dall’Armi, a member of the Bavarian National Guard. This race took place on a meadow just outside Munich’s city gates, a location that has since been named “Theresens-Wiese” or “The Wiesn” in honor of the bride. During the five-day festival, Bavarian children dressed in traditional folk costumes to pay homage to the royal family, presenting them with poems and flowers. The royal couple was so delighted by the festivities that they decided to make the celebration an annual event. Thus, Oktoberfest was born. Initially, the festival was celebrated in October, but as the years went by, the dates were moved to late September to take advantage of Bavaria’s milder weather. This allowed visitors to enjoy the outdoor beer gardens, fairgrounds, and carnival rides in a more pleasant climate. The following year, the Bavarian Agricultural Association took over the organization of the festival, though the event was paused in 1813 due to the Napoleonic Wars. However, by 1819, the town fathers of Munich had taken charge, deciding that Oktoberfest should be celebrated every year without exception. The first Oktoberfest Parade took place in 1835, and by 1850, it had become a permanent fixture of the festival. That same year, the statue of Bavaria was introduced, standing watch over the festivities. This impressive statue, initially sketched by Leo von Klenze and later brought to life by Ludwig Michael Schwanthaler, was constructed by Johann Baptist Stiglmaier and Ferdinand von Miller. As the 19th century progressed, Oktoberfest grew in both size and scope. By the late 1800s, beer had become a central feature of the festival, with the first large beer tents appearing in the 1890s. These tents, hosted by Munich’s breweries, quickly became the heart of the celebration, offering guests a place to enjoy local brews alongside traditional Bavarian fare like pretzels, sausages, and roast chicken. Over time, the festival continued to expand, adding a variety of attractions such as carnival rides, games, and other entertainment. Today, Oktoberfest is not only the largest beer festival in the world but also a vibrant celebration of Bavarian culture. Each year, over six million visitors flock to Munich to partake in the festivities, which now run for 16 to 18 days, starting in late September and ending on the first Sunday in October. The spirit of Oktoberfest has spread far beyond Munich, with cities around the world hosting their own versions of the festival. From Cincinnati, Ohio, to Blumenau, Brazil, these celebrations bring people together to experience the joy of Bavarian culture, complete with traditional music, food, and, of course, beer. Oktoberfest’s rich history is a testament to the enduring appeal of celebration, tradition, and community. Whether in Munich or elsewhere, the festival continues to unite people in the spirit of fun and festivity, just as it did over 200 years ago. Oktoberfest At Shipgarten Join us at Shipgarten in McLean, VA, for an unforgettable Oktoberfest celebration! Immerse yourself in the spirit of Bavaria with authentic German food and the best selection of various craft beers that will transport you straight to Munich. Whether you’re a seasoned Oktoberfest enthusiast or experiencing it for the first time, Shipgarten is the perfect place to celebrate with friends and family. Don’t miss out on the fun—mark your calendar, and raise a stein with us at Shipgarten! Prost!

  Buy Dad a Beer! Saturday 6/15/24 1-6pm With over 40 beers & ciders, we have a drink for everyone! Join us at Shipgarten for lively games like the three-legged race, the bat spin challenge, keg curling, and water pong! We have a photobooth, delicious food, and are dog friendly!   Daddy and Me Games! Sunday 6/16/24 12-6pm This kids and family festival is jam packed with fun! From face painting, moon bounces, games, and music, you and your kids won’t ever want to leave! Young children can be entertained by Tunes 4 Tots® and their multitude of musical activities. Older kids can participate in age-appropriate crafts. Even dogs can come and get treated to Pup Cups and Kongs filled with peanut butter!

    Description Perfect for the summertime, a Margarita is a popular cocktail typically made using tequila, lime juice, and cointreau, often served with a salted rim. Originating in Mexico, the Margarita gained widespread popularity in the United States by the 1950s, and has since become one of the most iconic cocktails globally. It is renowned for its refreshing, tangy flavor and can be enjoyed either shaken with ice, blended with ice, or straight up without ice. Often associated with warm weather and festive occasions, this refreshing drink will satisfy your thirst and add vibrancy to any celebration. In addition to the classic Margarita featured on the regular cocktail menu at our Waffles and Tacos location in Shipgarten, our specialty cocktail menu elevates it with the fun fruity twists strawberry and mango. Ingredients 1800 Tequila……..   1.5 oz Lime syrup………..      1 oz Agave……………….   0.5 oz Cointreau…………        1 oz Choice of flavor………….. 2 splashes Ice Lime Strainer Shaker Glass Ingredients Measure and Pour Ingredients: into shaker Pour 1.5 oz of tequila into a cocktail shaker. Add 1 oz of cointreau to the shaker Add 1 oz of lime syrup to the shaker. Add 0.5 oz of agave syrup (a 2-second pour) to the shaker. Add 2 splashes of flavoring to the shaker  2. Shake Fill the shaker with ice. Shake well to mix all the ingredients thoroughly. 3. Strain: Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. 4. Garnish: Garnish with a lime slice. 5. Serve: Enjoy your refreshing margarita!  

   For those who know Shipgarten, happy hour is definitely a misnomer. And when we mean misnomer, we mean it simply doesn’t do justice to the Shipgarten experience. Our venue is conducive to happiness at all hours – not at just one hour – with more than 50 different draft lines along with speciality cocktails, indoor and outdoor options, fire pits with s’mores kits, a dog park for your best pal, four different delicious dining options, & more all in the heart of Tysons. We truly have the best happy hour around. We have Happy Hour from 3-9pm now with deals deals deals! Thats the longest Happy Hour in Tysons! We offer our signature Happy Hour deals during six whole hours from 3 – 9 PM Monday through Friday. Want one of our House ciders, IPA’s, or pilsners? $5. Looking for 12 juicy, flavorful chicken wings? $8. A Large 2 toppings pizza? $8. And we even have $6 HOUSE WINES!! Take advantage of our great offerings – order as much or as little as you want, and have a great time at our place!

We are SO excited for football this season and hope you are too. Are you looking for a place to watch all the football games on Sunday AND hangout with the family? What better place to do that than here at Shipgarten. Worried about keeping your kids occupied? We have tons of entertainment options for the whole family, even the furry members. We offer two dog parks, one for the little ones and one for the bigger hounds.  For the kiddos: Two moon-bounces Massive playground Climbing dome Corn hole Connect Four Chess Checkers Special visits from: Superheroes Princesses Magicians For the parents: Beer bucket specials Mimosas Bloody Mary’s  And more Come join us for a Sunday full of football and fun!