Oktoberfest

Fall isn't fall without Oktoberfest!

The world's biggest beer festival has become a celebration of international stature: over six million visitors a year gather in Munich's famed Theresienwiese for 16 days of revelry and mini-Oktoberfests take place the world over.

The most popular fair on earth began with the wedding of Prince Ludwig and Princess Theresa of Bavaria in 1810. The royal nuptials just happened to coincide with the harvest and the tapping of the new brew, so the celebration was on permanently. Since 1818 Oktoberfest has been an official celebration in the beer capital of the world, and what a celebration it is!

The festivities are opened annually by parade of colorfully bedecked, horse drawn beer wagons and the inevitable marching bands, followed by men and women in traditional Bavarian garb, lederhosen and dirndls who animate spectators as they go along. The party officially begins at the stroke of noon, when Munich's mayor taps the first barrel of new beer.

It's not surprising that Munich's Oktoberfest revelers imbibe about five million liters of that city's most famous product in the two-week period, but they're a hungry group too. Hundreds of thousands of chicken, oxen and sausages roast on spits throughout the city, and 45 million tons of fish are grilled.

Oktoberfest is not the time to keep the sweet tooth in check either. Germany's famed chocolates and candies are dispensed with smiles from booths throughout the festival grounds and it's the same for its almost infinite variety of cheeses and delicacies.

It's a celebration that has caught on in cities across America. The American version of Oktoberfest is usually carried out much like a state fair with beer, hot dogs and carnival rides. This popular beer festival relies on the popular foods that have come to America from Germany. To host an official Oktoberfest celebration at home, be sure to serve pretzels and mustard alongside authentic German grilled sausages, imported German beer such as Pils or Hefeweizen, and a selection of quality German cheeses. And, hopefully, the host can offer better seating odds than the typical seven to one at the actual Oktoberfest! Most importantly, remember to say, Prost! or "Cheers!" to the couple that started it all!