Fall is packed with festivals and celebrations across cultures and nations. While Halloween is a holiday kids look forward to, Oktoberfest is one for the adults. Beer comes to mind when we think of Oktoberfest, but it's about much more than just steins full of suds. Here's a brief history of Oktoberfest.
Wedding Bells
The first Oktoberfest was held on October 12, 1810. But rather than a festival, it was a wedding celebration. The Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig (later to become King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, but wanted to include civilians in the festivities. They opened up the grounds, which are now referred to as "Wiesn" (short for "Theresienwiese" or "Therese's Meadow"), for five days of festivities, closing with a horse race.
Fearless Festival
Germans loved the wedding celebration so much that the festival was brought back the following year, with the addition of an agricultural show. Each year, the festivities and events grew and evolved with technology. By 1870, it was very similar to what we know as a carnival with games, attractions and rides. In 1908, Oktoberfest introduced Germany to its first roller coaster. By 1960, the horse races were dropped from the festival schedule and the agricultural show was cut back to every three years rather than an annual element. In the more than 200 years of Oktoberfest, it has been cancelled 24 times. It took a hiatus during the first and second World Wars and during times of economic insecurity.
Lager Longings
Though beer is the main attraction to Oktoberfest now, it didn't become a key component of Oktoberfest until the late 1800s. At first, beer was sold at beer stands and by the turn of the century, the beer stands evolved into beer tents with wooden picnic tables similar to what they have now. Today, beer is the main focus of Oktoberfest. The festival kicks off with a parade of brewers and barmaids, and the mayor of Munich taps the first keg in a special ceremony. Because Germans take their beer very seriously, the only beer served at Oktoberfest is brewed within Munich city limits according to German purity restrictions.
Date Deviation
While the first Oktoberfest started on October 12, the dates of the fair had to be shifted to take advantage of nice weather. Like Election Day or Thanksgiving, Oktoberfest has an official formula for the dates: it lasts sixteen days ending on the first Sunday in October and includes the German public holiday German Unity Day (October 3).
Folk Fashion
Bavarians hold dear their traditional peasant clothing, but only for Oktoberfest. At Oktoberfest, the men and boys are dressed in lederhosen -- leather shorts and suspenders -- while women and girls wear dirndls -- a full skirt falling just below the knees that laces up the front over a white puffy blouse and accented with an apron. It's all in honor of their Alpine peasant forefathers.
World's Fair
Today, Munich's Oktoberfest attracts people from all over the world. Each year, it averages about six million visitors. Together, they consume more than 1.7 million gallons of beer and just over 400,000 chickens. Those are things you pay for; entry to the festival is free to anyone who wants to go.
Celebrations and LTD Commodities go hand-in-hand! Whether you need inspiration for your own Oktoberfest party or you're looking for cookbooks for your next holiday get-together, look to LTD for great ideas and great products.
By subscribing to LTD Commodities LLC mobile messaging, you agree to receive autodialed marketing messages from LTD to the telephone number used at the time of opt in. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required as a condition of purchasing any goods or services. By signing up, you are confirming you are over the age of 13. In the event that you change or deactivate your mobile number, it is your responsibility to notify LTD Commodities LLC at 1-866-736-3654 to have your number removed. Terms & Conditions are subject to change. The mobile carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
JOIN Information
Text JOIN or other advertised keyword to 61568 to receive promotional alerts from LTD Commodities LLC. When you opt-in to the service, we will send you a message to confirm your signup.
STOP Information
You can cancel this service at any time. Just text "STOP" to 61568. After you send the message "STOP" to us, we will send you a reply message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive LTD Promotional Messages from us.
If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending messages to you again.
HELP Information
If at any time you forget what keywords are supported, just text "HELP" to 61568. After you send the message "HELP" to us, we will respond with instructions on how to use our service as well as how to unsubscribe.
As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.
For all questions about the services provided by this short code, you can send an email to service@ltdcommodities.com.com
We take your privacy seriously. Please visit Privacy Policy to review our privacy policy.