Friday, October 3, 2014

Oktoberfest History

Oktoberfest Munich 2013
Oktoberfest 2013
Prost! Cheers! Skål!

As I mentioned on Wednesday, I am currently in Munich celebrating Oktoberfest with my family. Because of this, I thought today was a perfect time to go over some of the history and fun facts of Oktoberfest!

The first Oktoberfest was in 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese on October 12. In addition to the wedding celebrations, horse races were held: when those races were decided to be an annual event, Oktoberfest was born. At the beginning of Oktoberfest, horse races and an agricultural fair was held. As time passed, beer vendors set up beer carts in the streets to quench festival-goer's thirst. These carts became tents in 1896, located in the same place in Munich as today! Now, Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world, welcoming over 6 million visitors to Munich annually, as well as countless smaller celebrations throughout the world. Oktoberfest celebrates the coming of the month of October, and is typically held in the 16 days prior to the first Sunday of October.

This year will be the 181st year of Oktoberfest. For math nerds (like myself) out there wondering how it is only the 181st celebration, Oktoberfest has been cancelled 24 times due to wars and cholera epidemics.

Only beer brewed within Munich city limits and conforming to Reinheitsgebot (various regulations) is allowed to be served at Munich Oktoberfest. In general, each different vendor's tent will serve their specialty beer- typically in 1-liter sizes!

From my personal experience last year, Oktoberfest is a wonderful life experience and something everyone should experience. The festive atmosphere, with most people wearing traditional dirndls and lederhosen, as well as traditional music in the tents is something that cannot be topped!

To stay tuned with all of my Oktoberfest posts, follow me on instagram and check back here for my experiences at Oktoberfest 2014!

23 comments:

  1. Ah Oktoberfest, I have been to one once when my other half and I began seeing each other romantically. It was great fun and I'd love to go again sometime. I also put my hair in plaits like you did in the photo, I thought it was quite a fitting hairstyle for the event, I didn't have a costume though, maybe next time.

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    1. Fiona, that sounds like such a fun thing to do with your significant other! My husband and I have never gone to Oktoberfest in Munich together, but perhaps one day we will!

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  2. I think it would be so cool to go to Oktoberfest. Like the real one, in Germany, not some knock off in the states, lol. I'm not even a beer drinker, but it still just seems like an exciting experience. Kind of like Mardi Gras, or Time Square on New Year's Eve (did that once, but never Mardi Gras). Love the costume and the hair!

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    1. Nikki, Oktoberfest in Munich was so exciting and authentic. I think you hit it right on that it is similar to NYE in Times Square or Mardi Gras.

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  3. Going to Oktoberfest in Germany is on my travel bucket list--I think it would be SUCH a cool experience! I'm actually going to Germany this October, but I'll JUST miss Oktoberfest. Guess I'll have to plan another trip. :) I hope you had a blast!

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    1. Natalie, it was definitely an experience of a lifetime. That is too bad you will miss Oktoberfest, but I'm sure you will have tons of other great experiences!

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  4. I would love to go to Octoberfest at least once in my life. I see a lot of photos of it and I'm hoping one day that I'll be able to go. I've never been to Germany but I have an aunt who is from there {I love her accent and could listen to her talk for hours}. Thanks for sharing your photos and journey.

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    1. Terri, Oktoberfest in Germany is definitely a bucket list time. If you go with your aunt I bet she would know all the tips and tricks!

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  5. One of my biggest regrets was not visiting Munich during Oktoberfest. I ended up going in the winter and was slightly disappointed! To think: 184 times! Either way. As a history major it is facts like these that inspire me to continue to travel and learn about this awe-inspiring world! http://nomoneywilltravel.com

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    1. Andrea, the fact you've been able to travel to Munich at any time is awesome though. I'm sure you'll make it one day for Oktoberfest!

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  6. I am so glad I read this - I have always wondered what Oktoberfest was about but never researched it myself! I love that it's got its roots in love! I can't imagine drinking a 1 litre beer though [although I'm not fond of any beer]. I've only been to Baden Baden in Germany but I would love to visit Munich especially at Oktoberfest - the closest I've gotten so far was Epcot's Germany!

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    1. Sara, I never researched it until after I had gone for my first time- there is so much cool history to learn. You'd be surprised by how easily the liters go down!

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  7. I have never been to one. However, all of the stories that I have read those who have went have had a blast. Maybe I will be able to get in on the experience one day.

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    1. Victoria, I hope you are able to go one day- Oktoberfest is a once in a lifetime experience!

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  8. I have never done Oktoberfest in Germany, however we have a German town close buy - Frankenmuth - that is said to be a sister town to one in Germany. I have no idea which one. They have a large Oktoberfest every year.

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    1. Chrystal, I bet that is still so much fun to attend!

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  9. When I go to Germany this year, it will all be because of you and this blog! I have always wanted to go to Oktoberfest in Germany, though I've been to quite a few in Florida! ;) For whatever reason (I may have mentioned this to you before), we have a lot of German vacationers in the Cape Coral area of Florida. There's a HUGE German club and their Oktoberfest is the biggest I've seen! It's also REALLY fun!

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    1. Krystal, I hope you do go to Germany! I've got tons of tips and travel advice for the country. That is so funny there are tons of German vacationers in Florida- then again, beautiful beaches all around!

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  10. I never really knew that Oktoberfest had any history at all - such a naive thing for me, lol. It is so much fun. I cannot wait to see your photos and everything. I honestly thought at first that.. Oktoberfest is just one thing that a company in our country just wanted for fun and excitement - never knew that this seemed world wide too, haha! Seems a lot of fun!

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    1. Aisha, Oktoberfest is so much fun! I didn't learn about the history of it until after my first visit, but for my second visit I definitely wanted to know more!

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  11. Looking into Oktoberfest for next year! How is the bathroom situation? I heard the lines are kinda hellish :/

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    1. The lines can be long, but don't let that deter you! Similar to when you are at a busy bar and have to use the restroom, it's better to go stand in line a few minutes too early than a few too late. Oktoberfest is amazing and I highly recommend it!

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