- Beer Hall - Gryffindor
All over the world,Oktoberfest is duplicated, paying homage Bavaria, the southern German state nestled in the Alps and Black Forest. What many people don’t know is that Oktoberfest actually started out as a royal wedding reception for Ludwig I.
The Wedding of Ludwig I and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen
Son of King king Maximilian I and Wilhelmine of Hessen-Darmstadt, Crown Prince Ludiwg (later Ludwig I) of Bavaria married Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The wedding was an open inivation to all of Bavaria, drawing 40,000 guests (still small compared to the 6.4 million people who attend today). At the wedding reception, it is estimated that 40,000 chickens, 80,000 pork sausages and one million gallons of beer were served. The main attraction was a horse race, rather than the beer. Oktoberfest was such a wild success that the government decided to make it an annual event. In 1811 they held Oktoberfest in conjunction with the first state agricultural show, which was hoped to boost Bavaria’s agriculture.
Together, Ludwig and Therese had eight children. However, Ludwig was forced to abdicate his throne following the Revolution of 1848, in part because of his affair with dancer, Lola Montez. Even though his reign was cut short, the Oktoberfest would continue, interrupted only by war and disease, for nearly 200 years, to present day.
Early Oktoberfest
For the first hundred years or so, Oktoberfest was pretty tame. In 1818 the tradition of beer and food vendors started. Only small food and drink vendors set up along the fair ground, offering local foods. Other than the horse race, the only entertainment was a carousel and some swings. Over the years, other entertainment was introduced, including dancing and music and the horse race was eventually stopped.
Oktoberfest Cancelled
Oktoberfest has been cancelled 24 times. From 1914 – 1918, during World War I it was cancelled. Due to massive inflation, the festival was cancelled in 1923 and 1924. And during World War II (1939 – 1945) it was cancelled as well. It has also been cancelled due to cholera epidemics.
Oktoberfest Today
Oktoberfest is still held in the original place in Munich, Theresienwiese (which literally means Therese’s fields, named in honor of the royal bride). It runs for 16 days, starting the third weekend of September and ending on the first Sunday in October. People come to feast on authentic German cuisine, like sauerkraut, potato dumplings and bratwurst. Small beer stands have been replaced by giant brewery sponsored tents that hold up to 5000 people.
German immigrants brought Oktoberfest with them to America, and it is still a popular festival in areas with German populations, with Cincinnati, Ohio boasting the largest authentic Oktoberfest in the United States.
Sources:
Lang, Sean. European History for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, LTD, 2006.
History of Oktoberfest. http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/. Accessed on August 23, 2009.
History of Oktoberfest. http://www.ofest.com/history.html. Accessed on August 23, 2009.
Lorri Brown - I am a published freelance writer living in the beautiful foothills of Western Maine. Mom to four wonderful children, my passion for ...
