Let's Celebrate Oktoberfest!
Now that autumn has finally arrived and the last of the leaves are falling, we wanted to tell you about one of our favorite events of the year. Huge tents full of revellers, hundreds of Biergarten tables, festive decoration, bretzels and beer… lots of beer. Now does that ring a bell? Well of course, we are indeed talking about Oktoberfest, the iconic annual Fall gathering where friends and family come together to raise their glasses, sing out loud and drink lots of beer.
Historically this festival, which was born in 1810 in Bavaria, was conceived to honour the marriage between King Ludwidg and Princess of Saxe- Hildburghausen. To celebrate their love, the young couple hired the Munich born event planner Michael Dall’Amri to organize the greatest festive event ever. Being inspired by traditional German beer festivals that marked the end of spring’s beer stock, as well as traditional agricultural shows and horse races, Dall’Amri combined these elements to create what is known today as the renowned Oktoberfest.
Although Oktoberfest has evolved into a global phenomenon over the years, it's spirit is still rooted in bringing loved ones together to celebrate life. The festival continues to take place on the Theresienwiese, a park in the centre of Munich. Although today’s Oktoberfest is known for its conviviality with family friendly activities the festival does serve up the equivalent of three Olympic pools full of beer every year! Now that's what we call a family gathering! Oktoberfest is today a major international attraction and is engrained in the city of Munich’s DNA, inspiring hundreds of beer festivals across all of Germany and around the globe (including here in Montreal!).
Now that that last of the sunny days is upon us, you are most probably dreaming of flying off to Munich for that last beer. Better yet, invite some friends over, organize a gathering in your local park with your Biergarten tables and benches and come together to enjoy some of your favourite local brewed beers!
As patio season comes to an end, sadly, its now time to store away your Biergarten furniture indoors. We suggest that you store your tables and benches in a covered and well ventilated area, protected away from moisture. If you don’t want to let go of your Sets for winter season, find a creative way to reuse them: a bench indoors could perfectly support your summer plants, use your table as a creative writing desk at home, or why not convert your bench into a bookshelf ? The possibilities are endless!
We will miss you too! See you next year!
Prost! Have a great Fall!
photo (cover) – „Salvator“-Ausschank im Münchner Salvatorbiergarten, 1953 (© Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte/Foto: Erika Groth-Schmachtenberger)
(beer) – @miliebert