Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest parties at home and abroad
Oktoberfest conjures up images of rowdy beer drinkers, huge tents, sausages, music and lederhosen. The original (and largest) Oktoberfest event is held each fall in Munich, Germany.
The Origins of Oktoberfest
On October 12, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, and all of the citizens of Munich were invited to join in the wedding festivities held in the fields near the city's gates. The joyous occasion included horse races, and it was decided to repeat the horse racing and related festivities in subsequent years, which gave rise to the tradition of Oktoberfest Munich.
Over the first decades, the Oktoberfest event slowly expanded; an agricultural show was added, and then a carousel and other rides arrived. Participants enjoyed quenching their thirst at beer stands run by local breweries, which were replaced by actual beer tents in 1896. As the fairground industry developed in Germany, more rides and attractions were also added.
Today, the Oktoberfest Germany event is the largest festival worldwide, attracting over 6 million visitors each year. The fourteen huge beer tents, each sponsored by a different brewery, are arguably the main attraction, but many participants also enjoy the parades, rides, music and food. Six breweries have been serving their beer at Oktoberfest since 1818 and are known as the "Big Six." The event takes place for 16 days starting in late September and running to early October; years ago, the dates were moved into September to take advantage of more pleasant weather.
The "Grand Entry of the Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries" is a parade which takes place at the beginning of the Oktoberfest event. Over 1,000 parade participants include decorated horse-drawn carriages and floats sponsored by each of the beer tent breweries. On the second Sunday of the Oktoberfest festival, visitors are treated to an open-air concert with all Oktoberfest bands participating; the number of musicians usually exceeds 400 people.
Ideas for Celebrating Oktoberfest
In many cities throughout the world and in the United States, Oktoberfest events are held which imitate the famous event in Munich. Beer specials, Oktoberfest music, dancing and special menus are all generally seen at these festivals. If there is no Oktoberfest event scheduled locally, people may choose to host an Oktoberfest party privately; Oktoberfest party ideas include German music, decorative beer steins and other Oktoberfest decorations, German lederhosen and dirndl costumes, and serving German-influenced foods. For the perfect Oktoberfest atmosphere, Oktoberfest party supplies are available at local party stores and from online retailers.
