Oktoberfest - Traditional German Fall Festival

Oktoberfest was originated as a celebration to honor the marriage of the Crown Prince Ludwig (King Ludwig I) to the Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Everyone who lived in Munich was welcome to join in the festivities, which were held in front of the gates to the city. The original festival (also called Wiesn")continued for five days and featured parades, lots of food and beer, and was ended with horse races for the pleasure of the royal family.

The races were held at meadow outside of town, which is still called "Theresienwiese" ("Therese's Meadow) after the bride. An agriculture festival was added in Oktoberfest's second year, and featured competitions for prizes between various livestock.

As years, passed, new attractions were added to the Oktoberfest celebration, such as carousels and swings. There were sack races, wheelbarrow and barrel-rolling races, and eating competitions.

The festival developed further with the advancement of amusement park-type rides. In fact,the first German roller coaster was introduced at the 1908 Oktoberfest.

Eventually, beer stands were allowed on the official grounds, and appeared until they were replaced by beer halls in 1896. The beer halls were run by local breweries and have now mostly been replaced by tents containing long tables for the patrons.

The Oktoberfest was changed to a September schedule and expanded due to better weather conditions for the out-of-doors activities.

This year will be the 197th Oktoberfest traditionally held in Munich, and the festival has changed and grown greatly.

Oktoberfest begins this year on September 22 when a parade of gaily covered horse-drawn carts filled with bands and local officials proceeds to the oldest traditional tent at Oktoberfest, called Schottenheimel. Then the lord mayor of Munich taps the first keg of official Oktoberfest beer. The mayor cries "O'zapft is!" meaning, "the keg is tapped!" The festival in Munich continues until October 7.

There are several parades held during Oktoberfest, the most important two being the Parade of Oktoberfest Landlords and Brewers, and the Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen's Parade.

Although it is only held every four years, there is still an agricultural show at the German Oktoberfest. The agricultural festival has expanded from the original horse and oxen exhibition. Now there are also produce stands and judging along with the animal exhibitions and competitions.

Oktoberfest now features many tents of various sizes, which are operated by breweries. The fourteen main tents featured this year will be: Hippodrom, Armbrustschutzenzelt, Hofbrau Festzelt, Hacker-Festzelt, Schottenhamel, Winzerer Fahndl, Schutzen-Festzelt,Kafers Wiesn Schanke, Weinzelt, Lowenbrau-Festhalle, Braurosl, Augustiner-Fasthalle, Ochsenbraterei, and Fischer Vroni.

Tents for Oktoberfest contain long tables for seating, plenty of beer and food and usually there is musical entertainment. Each of the main tents has its own special attractions. Hippodrom, run by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu brewery, is well known as a great gathering spot for young singles, as well as for celebrities and a sparkling wine bar. It is a smaller tent with seating outside for 1,000 and inside for 3,200.

Armbrustschutzenzelt is a large tent run by the Paulaner Brewery, holding 5,830 inside and 1,600 outdoors. It features crossbow competitions, a great brass band and a fabulous traditional German food selection.

Hofbrau Festhalle is a world-renowned tourist attraction. It's operated by the Hofbrau Munchen Brewery and features many Bavarian delicacies. This tent is known for being the most popular for Austrians and Americans. Hofbrau Festhalle has seating for 6,896 inside and 3,022 outside.

The Hacker-Festzelt tent feature rock and roll music every evening from 5:30 pm on for those who may have grown weary of brass bands! It's run by the Hacker-Pschorr Brewery and seats 9,300.

Schottenhamel is the tent where Oktoberfest originates. It's operated by the Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu Brewery. This is the tent where the crowd gathers to watch the Mayor declare the first keg tap successful. Following this ritual, all the other tents can start serving their beer. The tent is huge and can accommodate 6,000 for seating indoors, and 4,000 outside.

Winzerer Fahdl is run by the Paulaner Brewery. It's always authentically decorated, and with the sing-alongs included, many celebrities come to enjoy the special Bavarian atmosphere. The tent seats 8,450 inside and 2,450 outside.

Schutzen-Festzelt is especially famous for its food -- a suckling pig made authentically with malt beer sauce, and coleslaw on the side. This dish is served "lukewarm" as is the traditional manner. The tent is operated by Lowenbrau,and can seat 4,442.

Kafers Wiesn Schanke, run by the Paulaner Brewery, also draws many celebrities. The gourmet food, with a specialty of Kafer-roasted duck, is one draw for this cozier tent which seats 1,000 inside and 1,900 outdoors. This tent remains open later, but usually you have to have an "in" to stay till closing.

Weinzelt is the Wine Tent, operated by Paulaner Weibier and featuring wines from the Nymphenburger Sekt cellars. It features three bands, and seating for 1,300 inside and 600 outside.

Lowenbrau-Festhalle is easy to locate, as it is marked by a huge replica of Lowenbrau's trademark lion. It even gives out a roar every couple of minutes! This is the meeting place for Munich's soccer fans, and of course is operated by Lowebrau Brewery. This tent seats 5,700 indoors and 2,800 outside.

Braurosl is run by Hacker-Pschorr and named originally after the brewery owner Pschorr's daughter. Main attractions of this tent are a yodeler who responds to the name "Braurosl" and traditional Bavarian music. The seating is 6,000 and 2,200 outdoors.

Augustiner-Festhalle is run by the Augustiner Brewery and best known for its family friendliness. There are special children's days on Tuesdays during Oktoberfest, where the prices are lower for the kids. This tent seats 6,000 inside and 2,500 outside.

Ochsenbraterei is called such after the oxen, as its special attraction is dishes created from ox meat. It's operated by the Spaten Brewery and can seat 5,900 inside with 1,500 outdoors. Visitors will also enjoy traditional brass music while at Ochsenbraterei.

Fischer-Vrani is a fish lover's dream. You can even find fish on a stick! This tent is run by the Augustiner Brewery, with seating capacity of 700 outside, and 2,695 indoors.

Oktoberfests have now become popular fall events around the world, with the largest United States celebration being held in Cincinnati, Ohio. Brazil, Hong Kong and Australia hold Oktoberfests, and they are especially popular with Australian university students.

With authentic Bavarian music, plenty of traditional food and beer to enjoy, you won't want to miss the next Oktoberfest!