Oktoberfest (a tad early)

DATELINE:
Munich, Germany

You've heard of Oktoberfest in Germany. But have you heard of its spring sister?

The Sommer Bier Festival is the same party, just the opposite side of the calendar, and smaller in size.

German food, crazy rides and bier tents are all set up along the famed Oktoberfest Park each April and May.

With the flowers blooming, birds singing and the trees budding, spring has arrived in this part of the world.

Adam and Scott approached the grounds not knowing what to expect.

"I thought this was going to be different," Adam said after his first taste of the festival. "It's more of a fair."

And yes, it is.

Rides litter the midway. Food vendors sell everything from bratwurst to hot dogs. There is even a human carrousel. You're not riding horses, rather spinning around while standing at a bar.

First ride: the Sky Slide as it began to rain. Both of us had wet mats (a little gross).

Second ride, Scott climbed aboard a round disc that tries to fling its riders out of their seats. No lap bars here. No seat belts included. No rules either.

"Hold my stuff!" Scott asked Adam with giddy excitement as he ran for the ticket booth. Scott then plopped down the equivalent of $5.00 to get flung.

These rides traditionally only operate in China. They're not dangerous , rather, liberal. They ask the rider to take a fair amount of responsibility for themselves.

After the ride, we met up with a real Schwabinchen, and that is a true complement.

Try to flow this:
For years, Scott's friend, stylist and fellow Ohioan, Cara, use to cut Scott's "TV hair" in Orlando.

One fall Cara traveled to Germany. That's where she met Nico at Oktoberfest.
Since then, they've been a couple.
Now Cara calls Germany home since Nico lives in Munich.

And on this night, Cara and Nico dressed in their best German attire and met Scott and Adam for an introduction into Oktoberfest.

Nico shared insight into the party, like its okay to urinate in public, as long as you hit grass (no sidewalks). One grassy spot is reserved for people who sleep until dawn (passed out). And as Nico says, another corner is full of vomit.

Look close, Schwabinchen from Cedar Point has a much endeared twin!

The five (Schwabinchen included) enjoyed the evening inside the Hippodrom tent, where its tradition to sing and dance ON TOP of your table. More than 10,000 people can enjoy a frosty beverage under one roof.

Singing, shouting and laughing are all expected. And for the skeptics out there, most men come dressed as your favorite travelers, in there Lederhosen. Imagine the garment to equal a man's sport coat in the United States.

Cara is commended for dropping her comfortable life in Orlando to follow love to Germany. She and Nico make a great couple.

NEXT: Storm the Castle