Oktoberfest
Eat, drink, and be merry!
Teams of big horses, decorated with gay, colorful ribbons, clip-clop
through the streets. They are pulling huge wagons loaded with barrels of
beer. The oompah, toot, and thump of brass bands fills the air. There
are banners, decorations, bright costumes and merriment everywhere. It’s
the Oktoberfest, or October Festival, in the city of Munich, Germany!
Although it is called the Oktoberfest, this sixteen-day celebration
begins in September. It comes to an end on the first Sunday in October.
The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810, to celebrate the wedding of King
Ludwig and his queen, Theresa. But today, the Oktoberfest is really just
an excuse for people to have fun!
This team of powerful workhorses is pulling a wagon loaded with beer
barrels. It is all part of the Oktoberfest parade held each year in
Munich, Germany.
At the beginning of Oktoberfest, there’s a big parade of bands and
floats. The marchers come from all parts of Germany, and from many other
countries as well. In a big park near the center of the city, there are
merry- go-rounds and side shows. And there are decorated booths at which
people can buy all sorts of things. There are also huge tents in which
thousands of people at a time can eat and drink.
And eating and drinking are an important part of Oktoberfest! At the
park, people can feast on all kinds of sausages, cheeses, fried fish on
sticks, fried and roasted chicken—even whole roasted oxen. Of course,
the main Oktoberfest drink is beer, for the city of Munich is famous for
its beer.
Each year, millions of people from all over the world come to Munich
just for the Oktoberfest. It’s one of the world’s happiest holiday
events!
