19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Girls just wanna have fun

I photographed these charming retirees, or grown-up girls, at the world famous Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. They were waiting their turn to ride a carousel and roller coaster. I spoke to them and they told me that they are locals, Bavarians, and since their childhood they visit this fest every year and never missed it. They also told me that they prepared themselves carefully and with trepidation for it: they buy new Bavarian traditional costumes (dirndl) and go to a hairdresser to make their festive hairstyle and to braid flowers in their hair. And so, stylish and following the traditions, they spend day, until late at night, there and they just have fun: riding on the fair attractions, enjoying traditional Bavarian delicacies, such as Münchner Weißwurst (sausages) with Knodels, a pretzel and sweet mustard, and of course the famous Bavarian beer and music. They said: "We are old girls but our hearts are young and we just want to have fun!" Oktoberfest held annually in Munich, Germany. It runs 16 to 18 days, from mid or late September to early October, with more than six million people from around the world attending. Last and this year Oktoberfest is canceled due to the coronavirus.

Photo Detail
Date Uploaded: 09.2021
Photo Location: Germany
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Veronika K Ko