The Steuben Parade and Oktoberfest in NYC

New York City has a fantastic German heritage. New York International recently explored the German community’s presence in the city, as well as searching out the best beer gardens around.  This week, though, get ready for some truly amazing German and German-American culture.In celebration of German-American Friendship Month, this Saturday at 11:30 a.m., the 55th German-American Steuben Parade will be parading down Fifth Avenue. Germany and the U.S. share a rich history, and since the fall of the Berlin Wall twenty-three years ago, the friendship and cooperation has steadily grown.In the fifty-five years since its inception, the Steuben Parade has grown to be the largest event of its kind in the U.S. and is a true spectacle of traditional costumes, dance, and music – where carnival tradition meets Oktoberfest.The parade started in Queens in 1957, organized by a collection of German clubs. Since then, it’s grown into one of the city’s most unique and colorful events, with hundreds of people taking part and cheering the parade on as it moves down Fifth Avenue. The aim of the parade is simple – to act as a reminder of Germans’ past impact on NYC, and to celebrate the continued role of German immigrants and their descendants in modern New York.  Both the U.S. and German flags will be flying proudly, alongside the Steuben Parade flag – sold and distributed as part of a fund-raiser. Some 20 groups travel to NYC from Germany, Austria and Switzerland every year to be part of the parade, bringing instruments and costumes; while most of the New York City German community get involved by helping organize or participate in this event.The parade starts at 70th Street and moves along Fifth Avenue towards 86th Street. The best spot to watch the parade? Anywhere along Fifth Avenue, but for a comfortable view you can sit on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Conveniently, right after the parade you can walk over to the German-American Oktoberfest in Central Park. Located at the Rumsey’s Playfield in the Summer Stage area you’ll find a great party-like atmosphere, bringing you live musical performances and the best of traditional German food and drink – especially beer! Several of the parade performers will also be at the Oktoberfest celebration. It’s a great way to celebrate the end of summer and the start of fall, and you won’t find a better range of craft beers in the city at any other time. Tickets to Oktoberfest are $15 from the parade website, and we recommend ordering them in advance – they do sell out, and lines can get quite long! To get to the festival, enter Central Park at East 72nd Street.