The 33rd Annual Harvard Square Oktoberfest overtook the streets of Cambridge on Sunday, as fairgoers visited beer gardens and sampled fall cuisine.
Bands from cities as far away as Minneapolis and New Orleans paraded through the square and entertained crowds, while more than 200 vendors flanked the Harvard Square parade routes to celebrate the fall kick-off.
Donez Cardullo, the owner of Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe on Brattle Street, sold traditional German sausages at the fest, despite her family’s Italian heritage, to maintain the authenticity of the holiday.
“We’ve never not been at Oktoberfest,” Cardullo, who is a third-generation owner of the market her grandfather started in 1950, said. “We just wish we could serve the beer out here.”
Even without Oktoberfest’s signature drink, Cardullo’s authentic sausages and German potato salad were enough to draw a constant crowd. If attendees craved a drink, they could stop by one of the sectioned-off beer gardens throughout the square.
Across the street, “Cider Man” Chris Desmarteau and beekeeper Mike Graney of Eat Local Honey shared a stand that offered fresh apples, cider and apple crisp for $1 each.
“I’m a chef in Cambridge and it kills me to see kids coming to these things and eating all the fried food,” Graney said.
Desmarteau agreed, and said he plans to work with Mayor Thomas Menino on a campaign for a “no-sugar” law for schools. Desmarteau hopes to promote his all natural, apple cider juice boxes from a local orchard as an alternative to sugar-based drinks.
Amid the music and festivities, many activist groups protested global issues.
One group of participants chanted “Occupy Boston” while holding signs encouraging the Financial District takeover. Representatives from NomadRights.org marched in unison against the Tibetan Crisis.
Amnesty International representatives and supporters advocated for human rights in Sudan alongside people holding “Save Darfur” signs.
Bostonians made their grievances with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority known with signs that asked onlookers to join the Boston T Party, a group that seeks to facilitate better connections between MBTA riders.
Throughout Boston other Oktoberfest festivities included the 22nd Annual Harpoon Octoberfest, Samuel Adams OctoberFest, Boylston Schul-Verein Oktoberfest, Blue Hills Brewery Annual Oktoberfest in Canton, Davis Square Oktoberfest and Quincy’s 3rd Annual Oktoberfest.
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