The Story Behind Oktoberfest

 

It is the world's biggest folk festival, attended by literally millions of beer thirsty souls from all over the world. This event takes place on the "Theresienwiese" with its giant beer tents. Full buxom, beer maidens serve this precious brew by the liter in large steins. A 30-piece Bavarian bands rock the thick air. The "old time drinking songs" never cease through out the "Volkfest".

 

The first Oktoberfest, held on October 1810, was part of a marriage ceremony. Bavarian King, Max Joseph organised a lavish wedding celebration for the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen- Hildburghausen. The wedding culminated with a series of horse races, which became a tradition of the Oktoberfest.

 

Thus saw the beginning of the October festival, and it went on to become an annual affair, commemorating the wedding. The Oktoberfest evolved over time to what it has become today with celebrations all over the world.

 

The Oktoberfest is now celebrated in September, due to the chilly Bavarian October winds that blow from the Alps. This can surprise with an early winter, bringing with it snowfall. The 16-day Fest always starts on a Saturday in September and carries on to the first Sunday in October.