Prost – Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest today conjures up images of steins, pretzels and pork knuckles, but would you believe it’s origins are in honor of a wedding?

The first Oktoberfest started on October 12, 1810, at the wedding of Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

Going against the conventions of the time, the couple invited Munich’s common people to the festivities. Forty thousand people showed up to help the happy couple celebrate. The event carried over 5 days and finished with a horse race.

The next year, the couple decided to throw the party all over again to honor their one-year anniversary. And the rest is history…

These days many of the traditions and parades remain from over 180 years ago and now Oktoberfest is celebrated all over the world – even in Mumbai!

Image source: http://erdinger-asia.com/SG/2012/03/22/mumbai-oktoberfest-2011-ins-outs/

Sometimes not in October!

Strangely enough Oktoberfest celebrations now carry on and on and on in German cities, such as Munich (or Munchin) – 16 days in fact from 20 September to 5 October 2014.

That is just the funfair side of Bavarian celebrations!

Beer Halls stand year round and have expanded to well outside of Europe even venturing across the seas and setting up permanently in cities worldwide, including within Australia.

So much for an alternative wedding celebration.

Image source: http://www.xtremegapyear.com.au/trip/oktoberfest-party-munich/

For the record, when dressing in your Dirndls for your Oktoberfest party it is important to know where to put your bow ladies. If its on the left – you’re available, if its on the right – you’re taken and if its in the middle – you are pure! Same can’t be said for the guys in their Lederhosen.

We’ve got plenty more interesting tit-bits down our Dirndls and Lederhosen, so go ahead and ask!

WikiParty would like to know what you’ve done to celebrate Oktoberfest?