Tapo a huge celebration
The first “Oktoberfest” organized by the “Volfas Engelman” brewery in Kaunas took place in 2020, when it was decided to bring the royal Bavarian traditions to Lithuania, as the Munich “Oktoberfest” was canceled due to the pandemic. At that time, the event organizers did not expect the festival to grow so much and become one of the most anticipated events for Kaunas and city guests.
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“From just a few tents and umbrellas, we have grown to the point where today we use the entire outdoor area of our brewery for the celebration. The event has become so large that as soon as one Oktoberfest ends, we immediately start preparing for the next one. After the celebration, the team sits down to discuss what worked, what could have been better, and what needs to be changed,” says Marius Horbačauskas, CEO of “Volfas Engelman,” about the preparations.
Faithful festival visitors do not wait long either – some inquire about the next year’s date during or shortly after the event and rush to reserve places. According to the speaker, such loyalty is a commitment for the entire team to create an even more memorable celebration next year.
Although the “Oktoberfest” itself lasts only two days, the physical preparation for the event takes at least several weeks. During that time, a huge tent is erected on the brewery grounds in Kaunas, a stage, lighting, sound system, and decorations are installed.
“The biggest challenge is the infrastructure itself. Our tent covers more than 2,000 sq. m. There are no such temporary structures in Lithuania, so they are created each year according to a custom order specifically for this event. The tent must also be not only wide – its height reaches up to 8 meters to ensure safety and comfort for the gathered people,” says the company’s director.
Recognition from the royal family
Every year, as more and more visitors flock to the Kaunas “Oktoberfest,” the organizers constantly look for ways to surprise them. This year, one of the innovations is the integration of trees growing on the territory into the tent’s interior. They will become a natural part of the decorations and further enhance the authentic royal Bavarian festival atmosphere.
As the director of “Volfas Engelman” states, a large part of the event’s mood is created by the carefully thought-out interior. The origins of the first Munich “Oktoberfest” date back to 1810 – when the whole city celebrated the wedding of the heir to the throne Ludwig and his wife, Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. To honor the origins of this unique event, the entire event is still decorated with the royal colors of Bavaria. Blue and white fabrics, plant compositions, special lighting, and the stage transport everyone, at least briefly, to a traditional, authentic “Oktoberfest.”
“Representatives of the Bavarian royal family who participate in the event every year, including Bavarian Prince Luitpold, regard our “Oktoberfest” as the main event of this kind in Lithuania. For us, this is an important proof that we manage to maintain the authentic spirit of the royal Bavarian traditions and create a celebration every year that meets the highest standards of the traditional “Oktoberfest,” adds M. Horbačauskas.
Another tradition nurtured in Kaunas, inspired by the original Munich festival, is limited edition collectible mugs. As in Bavaria, a new engraved mug with the attributes of the specific year is released every year, making it not only a symbol of the event but also a valuable souvenir.
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This year, the festival’s attributes will also be supplemented by an innovation – annually updated special pins. This idea is also inspired by the Munich festival culture, where participants collect them and pin them to traditional hats or clothes to show which years they attended the festival.
Almost 20 thousand liters of drinks prepared
To ensure there is no shortage of food or drinks, special preparations for the festival also take place at the brewery factory – production volumes are planned in advance, and previous years’ data are evaluated. According to “Volfas Engelman” calculations, about 18 thousand liters of drinks were consumed during last year’s festival.
Moreover, a special seasonal drink is created every year for the Kaunas “Oktoberfest” according to a separate recipe. It has a slightly richer taste than usual drinks and becomes one of the most important highlights of the event.
“About a hundred people work during the event: security guards, waiters, bartenders, cleaning teams, vendors, so such a festival requires a lot of coordination. In addition, we constantly look for solutions to make it more convenient for visitors. We have noticed that people want not to stand in lines but to sit at a table, socialize, sing, and enjoy the celebration, so every year we expand the number of service zones,” says M. Horbačauskas.
One of the unique features of the celebration organized in Kaunas, already recognized by the Bavarian royal family, is the mixed service model, where some event zones are served by waiters, and others use special drink pouring systems that allow guests to serve themselves conveniently and quickly on-site. This solution has proven especially effective in managing large visitor flows.
However, the organizers evaluate success not only by the annually growing number of participants. The most important criterion is the atmosphere. “When you see that everyone in the tent is singing, dancing, enjoying themselves, and truly having a good time, you realize that the celebration was a success,” he adds.
“Oktoberfest by Volfas Engelman Non-Alcoholic” will take place in Kaunas on September 18–19, in the yard of the “Volfas Engelman” brewery, M. K. Čiurlionio St. 5. The event is open to persons aged 20 and over.
This year, visitors will again be able to choose different participation forms – from table reservations to exclusive VIP experiences. The event program includes live music, DJ sets, Bavarian traditions, regional cuisine dishes, specially prepared drinks for the celebration, and traditional games.
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