Some of the many attractions at Oktoberfest
Some readers may be surprised to find out that a large portion of Oktoberfest (or Wiesn as the people of Munich call it) actually occurs before October, with all but three days in September. Open from 8am till past midnight every single day of the week, there’s no shortage of time to see and try everything in Oktoberfest.
The first Oktoberfest occurred from the 12th to 17th of October in 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese. This celebration wasn’t only to mark the royal wedding, but also an important symbol for the new Bavarian kingdom and the establishment of a new identity.
Later on as the festival grew in popularity, beer stalls grew into beer gardens, an agricultural fair supplemented the horse races, and amusement activities occupy a large portion of the grounds. As with tradition, only beers from Munich breweries crafted in a proven and traditional manner may be served on the fair grounds. The length of the event was gradually increased to three weeks and moved earlier to September when the weather is more agreeable.
A horse-drawn beer cart
Every year, Oktoberfest receives over a thousand applications from various operators and merchants, of which less than half are ultimately admitted. As the show grows in popularity and adds years to its age it can only be even more entertaining while maintaining its traditional roots.
The large beer tents are usually fully booked well in advance of the opening of the festival so it may be wise to find people who have already reserved entire tables and share the cost with them. Smaller tents may have limited availability and my fill up by noon so it is advisable to go early to find space.
If visiting with children, the fair has a wide range of activities and is generally family-friendly during daylight hours. Parents may like to bring their children on one of the traditional attractions such as the corkscrew slide, Ferris wheel, or miniature trains. There’s even an interesting ‘live’ version of a merry-go-round featuring real ponies.
In terms of food, there’s really nothing like a good rotbratwurst with ketchup. Or try one of those cheese sausages where molten warmness oozes out onto a sizzling hot bun. If a more substantial meal is required, there always the half-meter long hotdog or a foot-long baguette with almost any combination of vegetables and meats. For the more price-conscious maybe a schnitzel in a bun or a fish in a bun would be more agreeable to the wallet.
Fun loving locals
Here are a few tips for visiting Oktoberfest next time. Leave large bags at the lockers at Hauptbahnhof or one of the U-Bahn stations with locker facilities, there’s a large variety of locker sizes to choose from and it helps to avoid the hassle of using the temporary facilities outside the fairgrounds. Go to the toilet before entering, although the toilets are clean and hygienic, there may be a line. Purchase bottled water in advance, as it may be expensive inside.
Have fun at the next Oktoberfest, prost!
