Chicago Celebrates German Tradition with Oktoberfest

In September, about 6 million people descended upon the largest city in Bavaria, Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest, a 200 year old tradition now replicated in dozens of cities all over the world.

The History of Oktoberfest

The original festivities began back in 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig wed Princess Terese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The royals celebrated their nuptials by inviting the people of Munich to a five-day long gala on the fields in front of the city gates.  The event’s closing ceremony included a large Bavarian feast and horse races.

As a sign of tribute to the princess, the fields were named Theresienwiese or Theresa’s meadow, and are known more accurately today as the “Wiesn.”

Oktoberfest was so popular that the royals decided to bring the celebration back year after year, complete with food, agricultural shows, parades, and horse races.

By 1819, the citizens of Munich began managing the event and subsequently pushed the date of the event back, and adding a few more days because of the weather.

Today, Munich’s Oktoberfest celebration runs from the middle of September until the first Sunday in October and has become the largest public festival in the world.

Oktoberfest Around Chicago

Eventually, Oktoberfest spread globally to cities such as Chicago, and is today an annual event that begins in early September and sometimes lasts up until Halloween. As tradition might have it, attendees enjoy various types of food, beer, and entertainment.

This year in Chicago, The Berghoff Restaurant kicked off the Fall ceremonial “tapping of the keg” and from there, the festivities commenced throughout the city.

Of course, Oktoberfest just wouldn’t be a celebration without a great German brew. Oktoberfest-goers chose from a wide variety of seasonal beers. As the locals know, one of the most popular foods served during the celebration is Bratwurst!

In fact, there are more than 50 types of brats and 750 kinds of wursts available in Munich – many of which have become something of a delicacy in Chicago.

Chicago’s Oktoberfest hosts many traditional German activities every year like beer barrel races, polka dancing, and “Masskrugstemmen” a Bavarian strongman competition for brew lovers.

A special pre-show dinner offered guests a variety of German fare from bratwurst, sauerkraut and onions to caramel apple strudel and the proper ale to accompany.

If you plan to be in town next year during the Oktoberfest celebration, don’t forget to visit us at Lexus of Highland Park where you’ll find a great selection of luxury vehicles. Learn more about Chicago’s Oktoberfest here: chicagonow.com