Best Oktoberfests in the U.S.

Sept. 21, 2012— -- intro: If Munich during Oktoberfest is more of a bucket-list type trip than an actually-happening-this-year trip, you can still enjoy the beer steins, brats and polka, but a little closer to home. We've rounded up seven Oktoberfest celebrations that extend well beyond the traditional end-of-September/early October dates.

From major cities to mountain towns, check out seven of the nation's best places to celebrate Oktoberfest.

quicklist: 1title: Alpine Village, Southern Californiatext:

Alpine Village, Southern California

This Oktoberfest, now in its 45th year, will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Sept. 7 and Oct. 27 in a 32,000-square-foot tent. According to the website, Friday and Saturday nights are geared toward adults (you must be 21 to enter) and Sundays are family-friendly, with kiddie jumpers and games. No matter what day you go, expect Oom-pah-pah music and lots of beer and homemade brats. Tables can't be reserved and are first-come, first-serve. Tickets are $5-$20, depending on the day.

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quicklist: 2title: Tulsa Oktoberfest, Tulsa, Okla.text:

Tulsa Oktoberfest, Tulsa, Okla.

This three-day festival runs from Oct. 18-Oct 21. Its claim to fame? Tulsa Oktoberfest was the origin of the first Oktoberfest Chicken Dance in the United States, according to its website. The celebration is 34 years in the making, with activities like beir barrel races, wiener dog races, a pretzel toss and a tent just for the kids. Admission to Tulsa Oktoberfest is $6.

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quicklist: 3title: Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nev.text:

Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nev.

This is an exact replica of Munich's famous Hofbrauhaus, complete with a beer hall and beer garden. The celebration kicked off in mid-September but carries on through the last weekend in October. On the menu are sausage and pork shanks and, of course, lots of German beer. The beer, according to the website, is brewed using original recipes handed down by the Duke of Bavaria over 400 years ago and is imported directly from a brewery in Munich. There's live music every night in the beer hall.

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quicklist: 4title: Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, Big Bear Lake, Calif.text:

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, Big Bear Lake, Calif.

Every weekend from mid-September through October, Big Bear Lake has been throwing an Oktoberfest party in the San Bernadino Mountains. Now in its 42nd year, Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest has log-sawing and stein-holding contests throughout the day, plus kids contests, bands and dance performances. Admission prices start at $7 for adults. Kids under 13 can enter free.

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quicklist: 5title:Helen Oktoberfest, Helen, Ga.text:

Helen Oktoberfest, Helen, Ga.

This 42-year-old celebration runs every day through Oct. 28. The festivities take place at the Helen Festhalle, complete with German bands, polka dancing and long rows of tables for communal beer-drinking and brat-eating. Admission starts at $8 but is free on Sundays. It's easy to get into the German spirit in Helen: Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, the town is a re-creation of an alpine village complete with cobblestone alleys.

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quicklist:6title: Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Leavenworth, Wash.text:

Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Leavenworth, Wash.

The first three weekends in October are a time of celebration in Leavenworth, where free transportation around town, live music,German food and beer, and arts and crafts take over. More than 10,000 people attend Oktoberfest in this Bavarian town in the Pacific Northwest. If all that food and drink start to add up, there's an Oktoberfest half-marathon and a marathon in Leavenworth on Oct. 6.

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quicklist:7title: Snowbird Oktoberfest, Snowbird, Utahtext:

Snowbird Oktoberfest, Snowbird, Utah

Now in its 40th year, Snowbird's Oktoberfest celebration kicks off early. From late August through Oct. 7, the weekends-only celebration runs from noon to 6 p.m., and admission is free. Two activities you probably can't do in Munich -- the Alpine slide and the Mountain Flyer – bring a decidedly mountain twist to the festivities. Much like Munich, expect Bavarian food and beer, yodelers and German music.

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