In the video above you'll see the audience waving their napkins and singing in harmony with music supplied by an authentic German band and leader who wears his lederhosen.

There are hundreds of thousands of German immigrants and Americans of German descent living in California.  But once a year when the beer flows from tap and the darling girls in their dirndls sell the Schnapps, everybody becomes German for just a night. 

Though the celebrations vary wildly and take on a distinctly California flavor, look for similar behaviors. German bands come calling to play the tunes Americans love. Chicken Dance is probably the favorite, most played song in the repertoire.

Strudels, bratwursts, and the newest batches of brand beer are heartily served up in style throughout California cities and communities where Oktoberfest is celebrated.  Some places have permanent German villages that hold seasonal events, often beginning in mid-September and ending in late October.

A few we've visited include Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest and Huntington Beach's Old World Village Oktoberfest.