Final preparations are underway for what promises to be another memorable Oktoberfest. During this 16-day festival, millions will attend the celebration and an astonishing amount of ales and beer along with traditional German foods will be consumed. While on the surface this festival seems to be a beer lovers paradise, Oktoberfest has an interesting story behind it, giving the festival even deeper meaning.
In mid-October back in 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig I (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the Royals’ reception, held in the fields in front of the city gates. The fields were named Theresienwiese, which translates into “Therese’s fields” in honor of the Princess. A horse race was run to celebrate the nuptials and it marked the end of the reception.
