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OktoberFest
Photo Credits: Johannes Heribert Pohl
My family has always celebrated annual traditions surrounded by many people, good food, drink and music. That also describes the genesis of Oktoberfest upon which we continue today. What started out as a wedding celebration had turned into a worldwide opportunity for many people to come together to remember culture. A family atmosphere is a major theme with Oktoberfest with an appreciation of outdoor events.
History
Photo Credits: Oktoberfest.de
It is crazy how the Oktoberfest started all from a wedding! The first Oktoberfest took place in Munich in 1810 to commemorate the wedding of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on October 12, 1810, lasting nearly a week until October 17, and concluded with a horse race. The couple decided to continue the festival annually, eventually moving it to September.
The Oktoberfest was canceled in 1813 due to Bavaria's involvement in the Napoleonic War. However, in 1816, carnival booths started to appear. In 1819 the town priests of Munich took control of the festival management. They decreed that the Oktoberfest would be an annual event, to be celebrated without fail each year.
In 1835, a parade was introduced to celebrate the marriage of King Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria. Since 1850, this has become a traditional and integral part of the Oktoberfest, held annually.
Over the years, large amounts of alcohol are accessible, which, along with the festive atmosphere and cultural norms surrounding Oktoberfest, there is a lot of drinking from the visitors. According to Oktoberfestours, every year many young people drink too much alcohol, often passing out from drunkenness. Drinking is one thing to be mindful of when visiting Oktoberfest.
Traditions
Photo Credits: Madison Bridge
Oktoberfest features a range of traditions including parades, costumes, beer tents, and more. They offer a great Bavarian experience, where people can enjoy a wide variety of beers. Oktoberfest has various big beer tents to visit, each with its own vibe and fun. They're owned by either big breweries or private owners. There are also smaller food tents, each with unique themes like dumplings, seafood, poultry, cheese, and more.
There is a variety of Bavarian food offered in the beer tents. At Oktoberfest, the beer tents serve classic Bavarian dishes that are incredibly delicious. Popular items include roasted half chickens (Hendl), pork knuckles (Schweinshaxe), oxen, and various types of bratwursts.
Photo Credits: Ryan Nagel via Canva
Another way to experience Oktoberfest is the parades. The opening day parade showcases iconic horse-drawn beer carriages, led by the Münchner Kindl. You will also get to experience the traditional costume parade, which includes over 10,000 participants.
At Oktoberfest, people wear typical Bavarian clothes. The girls wear dirndls typically including a longer dress worn over a white blouse, paired with an apron that is tied correctly. They come in a variety of colors, patterns, and designs. The boys wear "Leather breeches”. They can be shorts or knee-length and have suspenders that cross the chest. They're worn over a stylish button-up shirt, often plaid, along with thick knee socks and simple loafers.
Food
Photo Credits: Ryan Nagel via Canva
The food at Oktoberfest might be the best you've ever had, especially when you're drinking a few liters of beer and dining under the carnival lights! There is traditional Oktoberfest food available at each of the beer tents dedicated to the celebration.
Munich’s six major breweries are the only ones allowed to serve pints at the main event. These breweries are Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. At Oktoberfest, beer is only offered in mugs known as maß (mass) by the liter. They are huge!
Popular dishes are Pretzels, Wursts, Kartoffellanzen (Spiralkartoffeln), Reibekuchen (Kartoffelpuffer), Apfelstrudel, Roasted Chicken, and Gingerbread Hearts.
More Traditions
There are so many traditions during Oktoberfest and there is no better way to start the celebration with the mayor tapping the keg with as few hammer swings as possible.
Photo Credits: Hannes Magerstaedt
Although Oktoberfest stopped doing horse races, horse racing back then was a big Oktoberfest attraction. Hemplers explains the growth of Oktoberfest, The horse races were combined with an agricultural fair in an attempt to boost the economy. By the end of the 1800s, adding a carnival feature made the event more appealing to families.
Conclusion
What I will always remember is the sounds of polka music, good food, and many people celebrating together. Oktoberfest occurs in many locations around the world. My memory is celebrating in the hills of Mill Valley with my family at a nature club that celebrated German culture. My dad enjoyed this tradition with his family when he was a young boy. He said the traditions haven’t changed much since then. The days are filled with being outdoors, kids playing games and appreciating the gift of time spent with family. This is one way I am able to celebrate and partake in my German heritage.
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