The History of Munich's Oktoberfest

One Couple Started It All

The Munich Oktoberfest attracts millions of people to the biggest public festival in the world which will be held in 2004 for the 171 st time. Not only Germans, but revelers from all over the world join in this great event lasting 16 days at the Theresienwiese (Theresa's meadow), or "Wies'n" as it's known to Bavarians.

This is how it all began:

Starting point of the Oktoberfest tradition was the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Theresa of Bavaria in 1810. In addition to the festivities to which the citizens of Munich were invited, horse races were held in front of the city gates. To honor the princess these grounds were named after her becoming known as the 'Theresienwiese' (Theresa's Meadow).

The first agricultural show presenting Bavarian food products was added the following year and in 1819 the city of Munich became the official organizer of the event which then took place annually.

Although the horse races are no longer held today, more attractions such as carousels, fairground rides and food stands have gradually been introduced over the years. By the end of the 19th century, the small beer stands were replaced by the first beer tents and halls, which featured dance floors and even bowling alleys. The biggest tent was set up in 1913 with more than 65,000 square yards and seats for 12,000 people.

Today the festivities are still opened by a parade of colorfully bedecked horse drawn beer wagons and marching bands, following by men and women from the local beer breweries in their traditional Bavarian garbs. The official beginning is marked at the stroke of noon on the opening Saturday when Munich 's mayor taps the first barrel of new beer with the famous cry "O' zapft is" (it is tapped). Beer may not be served in the many beer tents at the Theresienwiese until the mayor has tapped the keg!