Friday, September 19, 2008

Okto‘BAU’fest!

Part V: Fountain Square Fun

‘Bau’ is the German word for building. So in honor of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (September 20 – 21), Queen City Survey is looking at some Germanic influences on Cincinnati, its history, and its built environment in a week-long series we are calling Okto‘BAU’fest!


A variety of German-themed games were held this week on Fountain Square during the lunch hour to promote Oktoberfest! Wednesday and Thursday had the Beer Stein Races and the Pretzel Toss and today was the 2nd Annual Running of the Wieners!
Beer Stein Races

Pretzel Toss

Running of the Wieners

Fountain Square was packed for the Races today and it was a hoot. So this post may be a little more lighthearted than some of the others, but it is a good time to mention that one of the Queen City's greatest symbols, the Tyler Davidson Fountain is German! The main fountain, including the "Genius of Waters" herself, was designed by August von Kreling and then cast in 1867 by Ferdinand von Miller and Sons at the Royal Bavarian Foundry in Munich. The four independent figures at the base were designed by von Miller's sons.

Editor’s Note: Part V was to be "Beer Barons of Spring Grove". But the Beer Barons of Spring Grove Tour, scheduled for September 18, was canceled due to hazardous conditions at Spring Grove as a result Sunday’s wind storm. From Spring Grove website:
"Cincinnati is well known for its brewing industry and the many colorful beer barons associated with it. Two of the top 20 breweries in the U.S. in the 1800's were located in Cincinnati. Join us for an informative walk through the history of what was once known as the Beer Capital of the World. Hear the colorful stories as we visit the final resting places of Cincinnati's 'Barons of Brewing' like John Hauck, Conrad Windisch, Christian Moerlein and Gottleib Muhlhauser."

Next – Part VI: German Inscriptions of Over the Rhine

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