Oktoberfest Munich (September)

Oktoberfest Munich (September)

On 12th October 1810 Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I of Bavaria) wed Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen and held a big party near Munich. It was so popular, that the party (complete with horse racing) took place again the following year, prompting the start of a traditional German celebration that has become world famous. Other than for interruptions caused by war or disease, Oktoberfest has been celebrated every year since 1811.

Oktoberfest is a two-week long festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September and early October. It is one of the most famous events in the city and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year.

The event traditionally takes place during the 16 days up to and including the first Sunday in October. The schedule was changed following German reunification in 1990 so that if the first October Sunday is the 1st or 2nd then the festival will go on until the October 3rd (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the 1st Sunday is October 2nd and 18 days when it is October 1st. The festival is held on an area named the Theresienwiese. The fest is about merriment and beer plays the key role. Every year the festival begins with a keg of beer tapped by the Mayor of Munich. A special Oktoberfest beer is brewed for the occasion, which is slightly darker and stronger, in both taste and alcohol. The first mass is served to the Bavarian Minister-President. Only local Munich breweries are allowed to serve this beer in a Bierzelt, a beer tent which is large enough for thousands.

Visitors also consume large quantities of food, most of it traditional hearty fare such as sausage, hendl (chicken), cheese noodles, and sauerkraut, along with such Bavarian delicacies as roast ox tails. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the Munich event.

For further information click onto the links below:
Crown Prince Ludwig
Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen
Two-week long festival
Mayor of Munich
Oktoberfest beer
Bierzelt
Traditional hearty fare

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