| For sixteen days in the fall of every year | | | | festival was lengthened to include almost the full |
| Oktoberfest in Germany - Bavaria is the only place to | | | | sixteen days that it is today. Between 1850 and |
| be for any serious beer drinker or festival maniac. In | | | | 1853, a statue was added the fairgrounds called the |
| fact, the Oktoberfest in Germany brings in a crowd | | | | statue of Bavaria. The first time beer was ever |
| of approximately six million partiers every year! | | | | served in the traditional glass mug wasn't until 1892. |
| Munich (München) hosts what has become the | | | | Here are some great Oktoberfest Facts: |
| biggest fair in the world, and certainly the largest | | | | - The price for a liter of beer is approximately 8.5 |
| Oktoberfest in Germany. | | | | Euro |
| Oktoberfest is a mainstay of the Bavarian culture. | | | | - The Oktoberfest in Germany grounds are around |
| Beer drinking and festivals go back centuries and | | | | 104 acres |
| centuries in Bavaria and the Oktoberfest is the | | | | - Almost 7 million liters of beer are consumed during |
| culmination of all of these efforts at celebration. | | | | the festival |
| Bavarians are proud of their heritage (as they should | | | | - There's almost a thousand toilets available |
| be) are hard workers. They also know how to throw | | | | - Approximately 6.2 million people visit each year |
| a party, and Oktoberfest is the party of all parties. | | | | - The tents seat from 3 - 8 thousand people or |
| Even if you aren't a beer drinker, there is something | | | | more |
| for everyone at Oktoberfest. Perhaps you are more | | | | - Almost 7 million liters of beer are consumed during |
| into wine. There are numerous tents where wind can | | | | the festival |
| be purchased at Oktoberfest. Food more your thing? | | | | Oktoberfest 2009 |
| There is that as well! Wiener schnitzel, pork, lamb, | | | | September 19, 2009 is the kick-off date for this |
| fish, oxen - you can find it all. It isn't just the beer | | | | year's Oktoberfest 2009. You can expect the same |
| that makes Oktoberfest great; it is the fun, the | | | | enormous crowds, plenty of wiener schnitzel and of |
| folks, and the atmosphere. | | | | course- BEER! Munich is always the place to be during |
| The History of Oktoberfest in Germany | | | | Oktoberfest and this year is no exception. As usual, |
| The first Oktoberfest in Germany is said to have | | | | the festivities will start with the official tapping of the |
| been a party to honor King Ludwig I's marriage. In an | | | | keg my Munich's mayor. |
| effort to celebrate the union, the couple organized a | | | | If you are planning a trip to this year's Oktoberfest in |
| horse race. The festival has evolved since that time | | | | Munich, there are a couple of things to keep in mind - |
| to the huge fair that it is today. Since the first | | | | - Festival tents open at 10 AM (9 AM on the |
| Oktoberfest in 1810, the fair has been celebrated all | | | | weekends) and close at 11:30 PM |
| but only a handful of times when war or epidemics | | | | - Beer is available for purchase until 10:30 PM |
| prevented its occurrence. | | | | - Carnival rides are Monday - Thursday: 10am - |
| Originally held in October as the name suggests, the | | | | 11:30pm Friday, Saturday: 10am - 12am Sundays and |
| festival date was changed in the mid 1800's in order | | | | holidays: 10am - 11:30pm |
| to take advantage of the great weather to be had in | | | | - Entrance to Oktoberfest is Free! |
| Bavaria in late September. Also around this time the | | | | - Get there by late morning to get seats in a tent! |