A Brief History of Oktoberfest

by Val White

Prost to a Tradition of Togetherness!

Long before it became the global celebration of beer, music, and merriment we know today, Oktoberfest began as something far more intimate — a wedding party. In 1810, the citizens of Munich gathered to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The festivities stretched for days, with horse races, dancing, and shared feasts that spilled into the streets. It was such a joyful success that the city decided to do it again the next year… and the next.

Over time, Oktoberfest evolved into an annual harvest festival — a toast to abundance, craftsmanship, and the simple pleasure of gathering with those you love. Beyond the beer tents and brass bands, it’s always been about community — about coming together to mark the turning of the seasons with gratitude and good company.

For many of us here in the American South, those echoes of Old-World celebration still live quietly in our own traditions. The long tables set for Sunday suppers, the laughter that lingers on porches, the comfort food passed around with pride — they all carry traces of the same spirit. A shared table, a shared story, a shared moment of joy.

So this month, whether you’re raising a stein or a teacup, may you find that same sense of connection — that timeless invitation to gather, feast, and give thanks.