The Munich Oktoberfest is the largest German "Volksfest" (folk festival) and bears the name "Oktoberfest" which functions somewhat like a trademark. Oktoberfest promises the world's biggest good-time affair, attended by millions from all over the globe, and takes place on the "Theresienwiese" with its giant 14 beer tents, where the beer “maidens” serve the beer by the liter.
In the 18th century, horse races were once a popular event but have now disappeared. Five days after the wedding, on October 17, a festival including the horse races, was held on the meadow in front of the Sendlinger Tor, one of Munich 's many gates. (Spicer 59) The family invited citizens of Munich to attend the festivities. The festival was such a success that it was decided to repeat the horse races in the following year. With this began that part of the Oktoberfest tradition. In 1811 a big agricultural fair was added to the races and by 1818 the first performers and beer pub owners participated (Spicer 59). Although the horse races were removed in 1938, many other traditions live on, making "Oktoberfest" not just a tourist attraction, but also a way to learning something about the German region of Bavaria and its people. This event was originally a communal event were all the people of the community got together and celebrated. The people from the city of Munich but aside their differences for this celebration and acted as one. This event is social and brings together different cultures.
The 16-day festival always starts on a Saturday in September and ends on the 1st Sunday in October. Over time certain rituals are introduced and are followed from year to year. One tradition that has been going on for a while is, the mayor himself will tap the first keg of beer and declare, "o'zapft is!" (The keg is tapped) (Felitta 4). The fact that the mayor of Munich does this shows just how important the festival is to the city. The mayor obviously plans on having a good time and initiates it by tapping the first keg.
Germany is known for obtaining a lot of natural pride for their country and themselves, more so than others. Oktoberfest is a festival that further crates the pride that Germany posses. In Germany getting married is often times a sacred ceremony that brings two people in love together as one. This is a significant change in their life and is greatly celebrated. Oktoberfest is a momentous celebration that dates back to two people getting married and sharing their rite of passage with their town. Although no one gets married at Oktoberfest now it's the celebration of two young adults turning into adults. It represents love and freedom.
Secondly, Oktoberfest became an important and traditional celebration because different from the norm the king invited the entire town to participate in the celebration of his son getting married. This made the towns people feel special and in a way was a rite of passage for them also. They were finally able to interact with the King and Prince. It became a large, communal, social and public event. The King and the Prince invited those from their community making those of the community feel important. This social event gave those of the community an opportunity to speak and meet with the Royalty of Munich and made them feel significant. The following year the town could not resist but to have another celebration similar to last and since then it has evolved into a lasting important tradition. Germany is big on tradition and celebration, which explains largely why Oktoberfest still exists today.
Another rite of passage that Oktoberfest represents is drinking. When kids are finally old enough to take on the responsibility of drinking the first thing they do is rush to Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is largely based on drinking and having a good time. The teenagers of Germany wait for years until it is finally their turn to fully experience Oktoberfest, by drinking. Being able to drink at Oktoberfest is a rite of passage and the right to take on the many responsibilities that go along with consuming alcohol.
The celebration of Oktoberfest signifies economic and social structure. Munich , Germany is dependent economically on Oktoberfest. The festival brings in a lot of money and the people of Munich benefit greatly through this celebration. This celebration signifies social structure because everyone attends this celebration. As stated above the mayor taps the keg and continues on to party with the rest of the town. Also if we look back the social structure from when the Royal family invited those of Munich is important too. This event tore down the wall between royalty and “townies.” During the festival nobody knows who is famous and who is not due to the fact that everyone looks the same. There was not great distinction between those who are that of royalty and the “townies.” People go there to consume true German food from cultures all around, drink an array of beers and have fun. Oktoberfest is a celebration that is full of many traditions dating from years back. Oktoberfest merely reinforces the tradition of having a good time and celebrating with people from not just all around Germany but from all around the world. This is a celebration that brings many people of many different cultures together. Everyone that attends Oktoberfest goes there for the same reasons, to have a good time and continue the German tradition! Due to the popularity of Oktoberfest in Germany t here are many Oktoberfests in the United State that try hard to emulate, even in a small way, to the most famous Oktoberfest in the world.