Oktoberfest 2012

Well, the 179th Oktoberfest has finally arrived, and Munich has turned into somewhat of a madhouse.  From talking to friends, people from all over the world descend on Munich for the two week party.  There are RVs parked along roads in the outlying villages and most tourist areas are overflowing with people.  They say six million people visit during the two week period.

Oktoberfest began in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. The fields were named Theresienwiese ("Theresa's meadow") in honor of the Crown Princess, and have kept that name ever since, although the locals have since abbreviated the name simply to the "Wies'n".  Everyone had such a good time, it became an annual event.

Trachten
There are an amazing number of Trachten (traditional men's Lederhosen and women's Dirndls) being worn by folks to celebrate the occasion.  We have seen the Trachten stores all over Munich for months, with no one apparently buying, but about a month ago that started to change.  We assume that the stores make their year's sales in the August and September time frame.  The Chinese made variety of dirndles sells for a little less than 100 Euros, but the real Trachten dirndles run 500 Euros and up.  We were told that the traditional outfits worn by members of "folk clubs" can run up to 5000 Euros.  Lederhosen run from 100 Euros (Chinese made) and up.  Gary is the proud wearer of a checked shirt, the traditional shirt worn by men.  It seems that whether you are a native German, an immigrant, or a visitor Trachten  is worn by all at Oktoberfest!

         

A Trachten Store - the Expensive Kind!

Dirndl

Lederhosen and Traditional Blue Checked Shirts

The Theresienwiese
Below is a layout of the Theresienwiese and the "tents", with the tents in the lighter color on the right and the agricultural exhibits on the left in orange.  The nine largest tents each hold between 6,000 and 10,000 people.

The Oktoberfest Location

Day 1 -- The Brewery Parade
The schedule for Oktoberfest started with a parade of mainly beer related workers, Breweries in Munich and workers in the booths at the Wies'n, on Saturday the 22nd.  It lasted for about an hour and ended at the Thereisenweise (Oktoberfest grounds where the "tents" are located).

The Mayor of Munich who taps the ceremonial barrel
at the end of the parade, after which the beer flows freely.

One of the Many Bands

Each Brewery is Represented with a Wagon of Kegs

Augstiner - One of Our Favorites!

A Lowenbrau Keg Pulled by Oxen

The draft horses pulling each wagon
and their decorative harnesses were amazing.

Each brewery also has a wagon representing their tent with
employees waving to the crowds.  This one is sponsored by Spaten.
We've heard that waiters and waitresses can make up to 1,000 Euros
a night during Oktoberfest.  That is one Reason they look like they are having fun!

 Small Vendors Also have a Float

A Traditional Folk Group

The Festival Tents