Oktoberfest is a two-week beer festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, in late September. It is one of the most famous events in the city and the world's largest celebration of beer.
The first Oktoberfest, held on October 17, 1810, was a marriage celebration for Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese. In 2002, 6 million people attended Oktoberfest.
The event takes place on an area named the "Theresienwiese", and is called "die Wiesn" for short. A special Oktoberfest beer "Märzen[?]" is brewed for the occasion, which is somewhat darker and stronger. Only local Munic publicans are allowed to serve this beer in so called Bierzelte (beer tents) which can contain up to 1000 people and more.
The idea of Oktoberfest has spread from Munich to much of the United States, and Canada where it may be celebrated any time from September to November. Many other places besides the US and Canada have beer festivals, but generally reserve the name "Oktoberfest" for the Munich event.
wikipedia.org dumped 2003-03-17 with terodump