Oktoberfest in Munich: Super sized version of a traditional Bavarian harvest festival, where many of the heart shaped gingerbread cookies have mottoes in Bairisch, the local dialect. Here are some traditions, mottoes and "translations" for those unmissable accompaniments to Oktoberfest beer.

Colorful School Cones, filled with small gifts and candy, help make that first school day even more memorable for first graders in Germany. A custom that began in the early 19th century, Schultüten are as popular as ever and could be a fun idea and new tradition for your own family and friends.

German Beer Gardens and Oktoberfest would not be the same without "Steckerlfisch". A Bavarian specialty for anyone who likes fish and has hunger pangs, it's a well seasoned grilled fish, complete with head, tail and a stick running through it. And ideal for a BBQ.

German Lebkuchen, that special German gingerbread, whatever you create with this recipe it will always be delicious. Anything from spicy ginger cookies, Oktoberfest or Valentine's Day Hearts, Witches' Cottages and Gingerbread Men, to Halloween Ghosts, Christmas decorations or aromatic Lanterns.

It's "Oktoberfest" although most of it takes place in September, an "Angel" on a hiatus from heaven attends every year, one Mayor opened it shouting "I'zapt os" instead of "O'zapft is", (it's tapped); and that was before any beer was consumed. Oktoberfest Fun Facts.

German beer has its own day, "Tag des Deutschen Bieres" - Beer/Fluessiges Brot, liquid bread, is "Food" in Bavaria - even the smallest region has a brewery, and remember it is important to raise one thumb when ordering. Germany's beer has a culture of its own.

Germany's children bring light and music to Sankt Martinstag. St. Martin's Day. Candle lit lantern processions, singing, a "Weckmann" enjoyed by an open fire. Beginning with church services in his honor the day often ends with "Martinsgans" - Martin's Goose with all the trimmings.

A huge country fair, and the world's largest "Volksfest", it began as a horse race honoring a royal wedding. Over 200 years later the Oktoberfest has moved with the times, but is still an annual festival of Bavarian exuberance, draft beer, beer garden food and tradition.

RINDERROULADEN, "Beef Rouladen"; thin slices of beef rolled up around a seasoned onion and bacon filling, served in a wine sauce. A delicious German classic, and "cold weather meal", once considered so special it was saved for celebrations, or Sundays. Now it is a traditional dinner choice.

Prune Men, Prune People because Zwetschgenmaennla, Dried Plum Boys, were joined by Zwetschgenweibla, Dried Plum Girls, long ago, are traditional German handcrafts. GOOD LUCK symbols given to celebrate everything from New Year to Weddings, here is the story and easy DIY "How To" guide.