The History of Oktoberfest

first Oktoberfest was held on Ocotber 12, 1810, in Munich to celebrate the wedding of Prince Ludwig I of Bavaria and Princess Maria Teresa of Saxony-Hildburghausen on what became known as Theresienwieses - Theresa's fields. In subsequent years, horse races were held on the fields to celebrate the royal wedding anniversary. The annual event became a tradition of Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is dedicated to the fall harvest and beer, the most popular products in the region. People came from throughout Germany to enjoy the celebration consisting of dancing, singing, and drinking beer.

Oktoberfest today

Oktoberfest celebrates the 172nd 2005 year. Oktoberfest is the biggest festival in the world, with 6 million visitors from around the world attending the Munich Oktoberfest every year. Every year, the participants consumed more than 5 million liters of beer and over 200,000 pork sausages, as well as large quantities of traditional hearty fare such as sausages, Handel (chicken) and sauerkraut, along with such Bavarian delicacies as roast ox tail .

Only six Munich breweries are allowed to serve beer at Oktoberfest - Löwenbräu, Spaten, Augustiner (pictured right), Hofbräu, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. Each Bierzelte (beer "tents") keep some 3.000 to 10.000 people. There are currently 14 main tents at Oktoberfest. special Oktoberfest beer is brewed for the occasion which is slightly darker and stronger in both taste and alcohol.

ceremony was the program of events, including the Grand Entry Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, Costumes and shooters in the procession, a concert involving all the brass bands represented at the "Wies'n.