While some of the details about the annual and famed Oktoberfest seem to err on the curious, they all have a perfectly valid explanation. While you might think the event oddly named, given that it begins on 22nd September, this is apparently in order to take advantage of the more agreeable weather. Fair enough. More to the point, why, you might ask, do locals and tourists alike continue to celebrate the marriage of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to an unpronounceable princess (Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, to be precise) when it took place in 1810 and is therefore ancient history? Well, dear readers, that’s because this marriage is commemorated with beer. Lots of it.
Head for the Schottenhamel tent at noon, and see the lord mayor of Munich tapping the first keg of Oktoberfest beer. Then, and only then, will the remaining thirsty revellers be invited to charge their own glasses. With weekday tents open from 10am until 10:30pm, these are long days, so pace yourselves. You don’t want to tire yourselves out by lunchtime – that definitely wouldn’t make any sense.
On a serious note, if you’re planning to sample the beers on offer, don’t forget to find yourself either a designated driver or a taxi. Get the NavPix here…
Comments