In recent years the popularity of Oktoberfest has grown and grown to the point where numerous UK cities now run their own versions - But what exactly is it and why all the fuss?

oktoberfest_banner

 

Oktoberfest is the most famous folk, food, music and beer festival in the world and takes place in Munich this year between Saturday September 16th and runs until Tuesday October 3rd. The 17 day festival welcomes millions of merry revellers to join in the festivities and triggers similar tribute events all around the world. The Munich festival grounds measure a giant 34.5 hectares, with 545 businesses having committed to peddle their wares this year, of which 143 are from the gastronomical sector, 151 carnies and 251 independent vendors. Overall in the region of 13.000 people will be employed at the Oktoberfest this year - it is that big an event!

Now more than 200 years old, the historic festival is a folk celebration of Bavarian culture and in the main, the beers of the region, with many brewed specifically for the event. Alongside the numerous beer tents, an integral part of the festival is the giant funfair that rolls into town for the full seventeen days. As is now de rigeur, an Oompah band will be leading the celebrations with traditional Bavarian music and entertainment and revellers wave their Oktoberfest flag and Bavarian State flag en masse to create a powerful effect.

Oktoberfest showcases the finest in traditional German and Bavarian cuisine, with the many Bier Halles filled with the delicious scents of Würstl, Spätzle, Sauerkraut, Pretzel, Schnitzel, Schweinshaxe, Knödel, Käsespätzle and many more!

Naturally no Oktoberfest is complete without copious quantities of Bier being emptied into giant glass steins. Expect a gigantic range of authentic beers from the most revered breweries across Germany! This is all complemented by live music of varying standards, traditional local costumes, huge parades and a vast array of classic German cuisine that complete the festivities of what is now quite simply one of the world's biggest and wackiest parties.

But why so huge and famous?.....Well, the most obvious answer comes down to the fact that most of us love a good fair, particularly one based around food, booze, dressing up, music and general joviality! But Oktoberfest does have an interesting history that lends it additional weight and may explain partially why it has lasted so long and become so iconic...

banner2

 

Kings, Queens & Carousels...

King Ludwig I was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on 12th October 1810 and the local citizens of Munich were all invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to help celebrate the momentous event. Imagine Charles & Di’s 1981 Royal Wedding, but without the paparazzi.... Since that day, the events’ fields have been known as ‘Theresienwiese’ (meaning "Theresa's fields") in honor of the Crown Princess, although locals have long since abbreviated the name simply to the "Wies'n".

Horse races were run for the Royal Family’s entertainment, marking the conclusion of the event that was to be celebrated as a festival for entire Bavaria. The decision to repeat the horse racing event the next year gave rise to the ongoing tradition of the Oktoberfest. Alongside this was an the first Agricultural Show, designed to boost the Bavarian agriculture industry. The horse races, which were the oldest and, at one time, the most loved event of the festival are sadly no longer held today, however the agricultural show does still remain, albeit only every three years during the Oktoberfest on the southern area of the festival grounds.

In the first few decades of the event’s history the range of amusements was sparse. The first carousel and two swings appeared in 1818 and momentously, visitors were for the first time able to quench their thirst at small beer stands which predictably then multiplied year on year!

In 1896 the beer stands were replaced by the first beer tents and halls, set up by canny landlords with the backing of the breweries.

The remainder of the early festival site was populated by a basic funfair. The range of carousels and rides grew rapidly in the 1870s as the fairground trade continued to flourish in Germany. Things evolved along these lines with each passing decade until we have what we now see as

the largest festival in the world, with an international flavour very much symbolic of the 21st century: around 6 million visitors from all around the globe converge on the Oktoberfest each year, with no sign of it slowing down!

banner3

 

UK Oktoberfest events

As much as we’d all love to hop over to Germany, never fear as you don’t necessarily have to go all that way to be part of the fun. The UK has really caught on to the festival in recent years and since 2011 Oktoberfest has been celebrated in London’s Millwall Park to great effect. The park is transformed into a traditional Oktoberfest with live music and real party atmosphere. This year more than 50,000 revellers will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this unique event that allows a taste of all that Bavarian culture has to offer for a day.

Also 18th-22nd October 2017 sees the Manchester Oktoberfest event in Albert Square and the Brum version at Eastside City Park, Birmingham too. Similar events are run this Autumn in Derby, Preston, Leeds, Brighton, Portsmouth so there is absolutely no reason to miss out!

Why not fly the Oktoberfest flag wherever your celebrations take place? Or maybe a more playful Beer flag or beer bunting is more your style?

See The Flag Shop for many more Oktoberfest flags that will get you in the spirit of Oktoberfest!