Everybody knows that Oktoberfest is a once in a lifetime event that simply cannot be missed. If you are studying abroad in the Fall, this is your chance! Those that have been refer to Oktoberfest as Disneyland for adults due to the most delicious beer in the world served in steins, Bavarian attire, festival rides, pretzels the size of your head and oompa oompa bands. In case you need more facts to solidify your decision, here you have it: #nowyouknow Oktoberfest style.
- Over 7 million liters of beer are sold at the festival. That would be able to fill an Olympic swimming pool more than two times over!
- Munich held the first Oktoberfest in 1810 as a giant wedding reception for Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Now it serves as a magnificent celebration of beer.
- A parade took place at the first Oktoberfest in 1810 in honor of the wedding, and since then has become an annual opening tradition.
- Exclamations of “Prost!” can be heard all around the festival in Munich. It’s German for “Cheers!”
- Over 6 million people attend Oktoberfest each year, making it the world’s largest festival.
- Beer was first served in glass mugs in the year 1892.
- Germans and other attendees from around the world can be seen around the festival in typical Bavarian dress: Lederhosen for the guys and dirndls for the ladies, making the festival all the more entertaining.
- Since it began, Oktoberfest has been cancelled 24 times due to disease epidemics, war and other emergencies.
- In 1950, the festival began with a tapping of the keg by the Mayor of Munich with the declaration “O’zapft is!” (It’s tapped!) and a 12 gun salute. Since then, it has become tradition.
- The Germans refer to those who don’t know their limits, drink too much and pass out as “Bierleichen” (“beer corpses” in German).
