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Oktoberfest comes to Enid
The word Oktoberfest recalls images of Lederhosen, Dirndl Dresses, and full beer steins. I must admit before doing my research, I probably could not tell you the official names of the embellished shorts with suspenders worn generally by men, or what the women’s dresses laced up the front were called. I, of course, did know what a beer stein was, although I am not sure, outside of an Oktoberfest-themed celebration, if I even know someone that regularly drinks from one. Modern-day celebrations have become more about what is inside the cup than the container itself for those that wish to imbibe. For others, Oktoberfest is more about dressing up in costume, enjoying the food, activities, dancing, and listening to the music. It All Started With a Wedding As we raise our glasses with a cheerful “Prost!” we honor a tradition that dates to October 12, 1810 in Munich, Germany. It began as a celebration of the royal wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig (who later became King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Breaking away from uptight elite traditions, the bride and groom invited the citizens of Munich to attend the wedding celebration held in the fields in front of the city gates. The field was dubbed Theresienwiese, or Theresa’s fields, in honor of the Crown Princess. Horse races in the presence of the Royal Family marked the close of the five-day event that was celebrated as a festival for all of Bavaria. 8 | OCTOBER 2021 | ENID MONTHLY
The decision to repeat the horse races the next year led to the beginning of the tradition of “the Oktoberfest.” In addition to the horse races the following year in 1811, the first Agricultural Show was held to promote Bavarian agriculture. Over the years small beer stands grew rapidly in number and were eventually replaced with beer tents and halls which turned into temporary structures with interior balconies and bandstands. Carousels and fun rides were added and grew year after year as well. Because of the colder weather in Mid-October, the dates of the festival have shifted into September.
lion people, many of them tourists, every year. Total beer consumption during Oktoberfest has grown to around 75,800 hectoliters which is the equivalent of about 2 million gallons. Unfortunately, the world’s largest celebration of Bavarian culture will not happen for the second year in a row due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder said at a press conference earlier this year that the unanimous decision was made to recommend that the major folk festivals in Bavaria not take place - including the Oktoberfest.
Söder shared concerns that the situation was The horse races were the oldest, and at one too uncertain, and a late cancellation would time the most popular event of the festival cause great economic loss. Other concerns however they are no longer held today. The included the risk of potential damage to the Agricultural Show is still held every three years Oktoberfest brand along with the fact that reduring the Oktoberfest on the southern part of quirements such as mandatory masks and maintaining social distances in the large tents the festival grounds. would not be feasible and could lead to chaotic Festivals modeled after the Oktoberfest conditions. spread rapidly throughout the world, including the United States. as a way for immigrants Willkommen bei Enida (Welcome to Enid!) to pay respect to the traditions of their native Fortunately, you don’t have to go to Germany country. However, you do not have to be from for an authentic Bavarian experience. Local there to enjoy a good celebration. event organizers in Enid have the good fortune to have enough space to spread out and The modern-day festival in Munich remains proceed with festivities while taking precauthe biggest and most famous beer festival in tionary measures. the world. The mayor of Munich traditionally taps the first keg to open the two-week festival Main Street Enid’s Oktoberfest is the largest which has grown to attract more than six mil- local celebration and is listed as one of the top
