This is an annual festival in Munich, Germany for a 2 week period ending the first Sunday in October. It originated on Oct. 12th, 1810 in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria who became King Louis 1, to Princess Therese von  Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The Oktoberfest is not all about the beer it is a folk festival for the entire family. Visitors enjoy a parade of Clydesdale horses, fairground rides, people dressing in traditional Bavarian costumes, a dirndl for the ladies and lederhosen for the men. Many traditional german food is served like sausages, pretzels, potato pancakes, sauerkraut and chicken prepared over a grill. More than six million international and national visitors.

In 1996 my girls and I went to the Oktoberfest in Munich visiting my relatives. The girls were 16 and 13 but still able to enjoy the beer served as long as an adult is present. We enjoyed the parade of horses,bands, drill teams and German dancers. We sat at these long tables and had German sausage with sauerkraut and of course the beer in these huge beer mugs.Saw the German schuhplatter dance and a lot of “Prosit” the traditional toast with beer mugs clanging. German music played on the accordion and we sit together and sway to the music interlocking our arms. Here in Washington State many places try to bring this tradition here in areas like Leavenworth, a small town in Eastern Washington also in Puyallup after the fair.