Oktoberfest is an annual, two-week celebration that has been held in Munich, Germany, for over 200 years. The festival is primarily known as a paradise for beer drinkers, with hundreds of brewers setting up shop in massive beer halls that seat thousands. But there is a rich history to Oktoberfest that can sometimes get overlooked in all the revelry. Learn more about this history below.

The First Oktoberfest

In 1810, Germany's Crown Prince Ludwig, who would later become King, married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The royal family invited all Munich residents to the post-wedding party held in the fields in front of the city gates. These fields were later known as Theresienwiese, or Therese's Meadow, in honor of the bride.

The first Oktoberfest included horse races and a massive feast for all attendees, setting the stage for an annual event in this same vein.

Oktoberfest in the 19th Century

A year later, officials combined Oktoberfest with an agricultural fair as a way to promote the Bavarian economy, making the celebration even bigger, longer, and merrier. A few years after that, local vendors started serving food and drinks at the festivities.

Munich citizens took over the event planning from the government, truly making Oktoberfest a people's celebration complete with parades, ceremonies, and plenty of food, beer, and local wares. The start date for the festival was amended, so it began in September to take better advantage of the longer daylight hours.

Throughout the 19th century, there were only a few occasions that warranted a cancellation of Oktoberfest, including the war with Napoleon and the cholera epidemic.

Oktoberfest in the 20th & 21st Centuries

Oktoberfest has only grown in popularity. A tradition started in which the current mayor of Munich would tap the event's first beer barrel. World Wars I and II and economic uncertainty led to the cancellation of Oktoberfest several times during the first half of the 20th century.

By 1960, the horse races that had long been a part of the event were discontinued. But that hasn't stopped the merriment. Today, brewery representatives and scores of locals march in the parade alongside beer wagons and elaborate floats.

Entertainment includes rides, games, and music for people of all ages. It is estimated that around two million gallons of beer are consumed during a single two-week Oktoberfest, which welcomes more than six million attendees.

While Oktoberfest 2020 is canceled in Germany because of COVID-19, you can still enjoy a good beer at your local pub. Cottonwood Public House  and Key City Brewing Company will be celebrating Oktoberfest on October 3 this year. Key City is a microbrewery creating a wide variety of delicious beers inside Cottonwood Public House located in Vicksburg, MS. They feature craft beer and craft cocktails, as well as a mouthwatering menu of pizza, appetizers, and dinner specials. Call (601) 501-7712 or visit them online to learn more about their menu offerings.