This year is the 200th anniversary of the first Oktoberfest. I have never been to Oktoberfest in Germany, but I would love to go. I have been to Oktoberfest in Kitchener, Ontario, which is a large and well-known event. What I didn’t know about Oktoberfest is that it is not just a fall harvest festival, but was celebrated originally as a wedding reception.
On October 18, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese Saxony-Hildburghausen. A festival was held in Munich, Bavaria to celebrate their royal wedding. Like any wedding reception, the festival featured food, drink, dancing and fun. In addition, the festival also featured a special horse race, and many people came from all around to be spectators. The German people enjoyed the celebration so much that they wanted to hold another festival, but were unable the following year because Bavaria had become allies to the French and had many men serving in battle in the Napoleonic Wars. Eventually the wars ended in 1815, and German people were still enthusiastic about holding a festival. In 1819, Oktoberfest officially became an annual event, and the people of Munich would undertake the planning that was necessary for holding such a large public event. Don't you love that Oktoberfest was originally a wedding celebration?! Do you think an Oktoberfest themed wedding would be fun?
Here is a round up of German food to inspire you this weekend:
Since you know how much I love wedding cake, why not bake one to make your Oktoberfest even more authentic!