The 181st Oktoberfest began on 20 September 2014. Oktoberfest is a globally popular event that lasts for sixteen days, ending on 5 October. In that time period, six million people every year visit Germany and consume one and a half million gallons of beer. This is one of Munich’s largest and most profitable tourist attractions.
This all started in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. The citizens of Munich were invited, which is why the event is in Munich, Germany. This was a wedding reception to celebrate them, which included horse races in a “Wiese” (meadow).
This event was so popular that King Maximillian decided to hold one every year in the meadow. The meadow was then named “Theresienwiese” after Ludwig’s bride, Therese. The “Theresienwiese” is still an open field in the city of Munich.
The beer is called “Wiesenbier”. It is a lot darker and stronger than traditional beer Americans drink. The beer is then laagered for 30 days. It is brewed in March and ages throughout the summer.
Some assume Oktoberfest is just a beer festival, but it is more than that. There are a lot of food, games, and music.
Every year, those in attendance consume 200,000 pairs of pork sausage and 480,000 spit-roasted chickens during the festival. Pretzels, sausage, bread, soup, almonds, cotton candy, glazed fruits, and ice-cream are just a few of the popular snacks to enjoy there. There is even a non-alcoholic “Bier” made for children to drink.
For the past three years at Fleetwood Area High School, German teacher Mrs. Christine Moll has hosted a spin-off of Oktoberfest for her German students.
The event was on Thursday, 2 October 2014 in Moll’s room for her classes. This included authentic German food, a live webcam of the festival, costumes, history, and music.
“It is a fun and authentic extension of our curriculum, a cultural experience,” Moll said.
“I like it. Frau makes it fun,” senior Becky Zerbi said.
“Oktoberfest is a festival held during harvest time to celebrate and appreciate the fruits of labor. It is a great way to relieve stress and enjoy friends, family, and new acquaintances,” history teacher Mr. Weiss said.
All alcoholic beverages should only be enjoyed responsibly if you meet the legal limit set by your respective government.
The Tiger Times 
Posted on October 20, 2014 by thetigertimes6
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