We Milwaukeeans know how to party like the people of Munich all year round, but this weekend we really show our strong German heritage. Old World 3rd Street's annual two-day Oktoberfest celebration kicks off today, Friday, Sept. 26, at noon with the Dick Strauss Orchestra and doesn't end until Saturday night.

Beer is obviously the guest of honor here and you'll find a near endless supply of Oktoberfests, lagers and weiss beers. But don't fill up on suds before registering for Saturday's brat-eating contest (12-3 p.m., registration for two-person teams 1-2:45 p.m. at the 3rd Street Exhibition Stage).

But if competitive eating isn't your style, you're welcome to enjoy a leisurely lunch or dinner from Mader's German Restaurant and the Old German Beer Hall, where you'll choose from brats, hot dogs, burgers, hot pretzels, roast pig and rotisserie hens.

Of course, it wouldn't be authentic without the traditional music. The Dick Strauss Orchestra plays Friday and Saturday under the Spaten Tent from 12 to 4 p.m. and again from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

The Alte Kammeraden play Friday and Saturday at the Third Street Exhibition Stage from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The Hofbrau Tent hosts the polka players, with Ed Vidmar on Friday from 12 to 2:30 p.m. and The Brewhaus Polka Kings (featuring Art Kumbalek) plays 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and The Polka Floyd Show is from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

Saturday starts with Ed Vidmar from 12 to 2:30 p.m., followed by Sigmund Snopek III & Michael Woods from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Squeezettes close the show from 7:30 to 11 p.m.