Oktoberfest originated in 1810 in Munich. It all started out as a wedding reception which included horse races in a Wiese (meadow). King Maximillian of Bavaria gave a reception to celebrathe the wedding of his son, Prince Ludwig, and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Prince Ludwig later became King of Bavarian (Ludwig l) and established several museums in Munich.

Because the celebration was so successful, King Maximillian decided to hold one every year in the meadow. The meadow was then named Theresienwiese after Ludwig's bride, Therese. The Theresienwiese is still an open field in the city of Munich, about 5 American football fields long. The horse races were eventually replaced by agricultural shows and parades.

Oktoberfest - 16 days of drinking, eating, singing and dancing - used to begin in Oktober. However, in 1880, it was changed to begin in September because of the bad weather in Oktober. Now the Oktoberfest begins on a Samstag (Saturday) in September and ends the first Sonntag (Sunday) in Oktober.

Today the Oktoberfest in Munich draws millions of people from all over the world. The festivities start out with a morning Parade. At the head of the Parade are teams of decorated horses pulling the colorful Bierwagen which represent the major Brauereien (breweries) in Munich. Marching to the beat of the Bavarian brass bands are the famous Oktoberfest Kellnerinnen (waitress). Contests are held for these strong waitresses to see who can carry the most Masskrüge/ Masskruege (one-liter beer mugs). One waitress once carried 21 full Masskruege!

Obviously, Bier plays an important role in this festival. But for Germans, Bier is not just a drink for celebrations. Some Germans enjoy beer with their Mittagessen (mid-day meal) and Abendbrot (evening meal). There is even a non-alcoholic Kinderbier for children made out of malt.

Munich's breweries make a strong beer for Oktoberfest called Wiesenbier (meadow beer). Oktoberfest-style beers are a recent favorite in the US as well. The large Brauereien set up huge beer tents (Festhallen) for the festival. The Buergermeister (mayor) enters one of these Festhallen at 12 noon of the opening day. A cannon is fired 12 times and then the Bürgermeister taps the first keg, fills his Masskrug with beer and says to the crowd Ozapft is! (the keg is tapped). Then the fun begins. The Festhallen - some seat up to 10,000) -fill up fast. Apfelsaft (apple juice), milkshakes, ice cream and candies are enjoyed by children. If children want to drink beer, it is legal if they are with an adult.

The Blasorchester (brass bands) add to the atmosphere with their Trinklieder (drinking songs) and various other famous songs and pop hits. Many people link arms, singing and swaying to the music at or even on top of the tables! There are also beer drinking contests and Wuerstchen (sausage) eating contests. Gebratene Ochsen (roasted oxen), Haehnchen (rotisserie chicken), Steckerlfisch (fish on a stick), Bratwurst, and Brezeln are consumed in huge quantities.

Outside the Festhallen are the Biergaerten(beer gardens) filled with long tables and benches. Roller-coasters and merry-go-rounds attract the younger crowd.

Crowds are entertained on the second day of Oktoberfest with a parade called the Trachtenfest (celebration of traditional costumes). German and other groups from Europe march down the streets of Munich in traditional, native attire. German men wear Lederhosen - leather shorts usually worn with suspenders, white shirts and knee-high stockings. German women are often dressed in the colorful Dirndl (flowery folk dresses). The many bands provide the music for the folk dances which are performed by international groups.

The dancing and singing continue along with the drinking and eating until Oktoberfest comes to an end.

Ruth Reichmann

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