Bostonians gather for Oktoberfest

Four thousand miles away from Germany, Boston area residents gathered Sunday to celebrate Oktoberfest in the bustling streets of Harvard Square.

For 32 years, people have been toasting the traditional German festival with food, beer, parades, booths and entertainers.

Although many came expecting German beer and cuisine, Cambridge’s festival offered much more to its patrons.

Among the more unique festival activities were hot air balloon rides given for a charitable donation as well as Thomas the Train rides in the square.

Six stages located throughout the winding streets hosted a variety of musical acts and more than 50 food vendors offered different types of food.

In the afternoon, performance artists took to the street as part of the HONK! Parade.

“HONK! is a convergence of street bands from around the country and world with different styles,” said Carlos Pecciotto, a drum and percussion HONK! performer from Chicago. “Some of us are political. Some of us are cultural in approach. [But] we’re not regimented precision, but soul.”

Other performers had a different take on the group.

“HONK! is a radical street marching band movement to reclaim music for everybody, it’s not like we are on a stage,” said Kate Vanwest, a fire-spinning acrobatic percussionist from Chicago.

Both Pecciotto and Vanwest are a part of The Magic Circus Band, a group based out of Chicago since 1996.

Their philosophy is rooted in establishing a creative environment for the crowd. The group does most of its performances in Chicago, but they have performed in over 500 shows nationally throughout their history.

The entertainment at the Harvard Square Oktoberfest did not end with HONK!.

Street performers like Collin Campbell of Marshfield played bagpipes while riding a unicycle to entertain festival attendees. This was his second year performing at Oktoberfest, although he said that the huge array of acts made it challenging for him at times.

“The band is a bit obnoxious, but I got no beef,” Campbell said.

Away from the performers, booths and shops sold their wares.

Sweet, a Boston-based bakery, sold cupcakes with seasonal flavors such as caramel apple.

“[My favorite part] is interacting with other people and introducing them to Sweet,” said Nicole Davis, a Sweet employee from Allston.

Visitors of Oktoberfest came by the thousands.

“I was hoping to meet one of my old friends, a reunion of sorts. I’d love to come next time. I like the food and smells,” said Alex Moore, a Tufts student from Plainfield, Conn.

Despite the overall enjoyment Moore had, he still felt the event could improve for next year.

“It’s my first time and I assumed it’d be something small with sausage and German beer. I was a little disappointed [because it was] too crowded,” said Moore.