One of the world’s best parties, and on every beer lovers "To Do List", Oktoberfest (known as "Wiesn" to the locals) is underway and its 200 years old. Oktoberfest once was a wedding celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig to Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in 1810, but today is the world’s largest fair, lasting 16-18 days from late September to early October in the German city of Munich in the region known as Bavaria. Oktoberfest started out as a horse race, an agriculture show, and eventually a parade. In 1818 the 1st beer stand opened. In 1882 brats were first served, and in 1892 those famous glass beer steins (krug or bierkrug) made their first appearance. Over 7 million people attend the Oktoberfest today consuming some serious amounts of beer, chicken, sausage, fish, and pork. There are currently 14 tents serving up liters of beer for around 8.75 Euros (about $11.60 USD). Many of the attendees are from the region and wear the traditional Bavarian costume of lederhosen for guys, dirndls for girls.
If you happen to be in Bavaria right now, you are probably already there. If you are not in Bavaria, your town may have its own version of Oktoberfest, or just pick up some German beer, turn on the oompah music, and celebrate. Want to go to the real deal? Well, there is always next year. Oktoberfest is bigger than ever and it doesn’t look like it is going anywhere anytime soon.
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