Visit Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest Published Oct. 2, 2008 By Iris Reiff 52 Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office SPANGDAHLEM, AIR BASE, Germany -- Germany's biggest and most famous bash, the traditional Munich Oktoberfest, is presently in full swing, attracting people from far and near. The festival always lasts 16 days, ending on the first Sunday in October - this weekend on Oct. 5. The huge "Volksfest" is held on the Theresienwiese grounds in Munich with an extremely large number of visitors and a correspondingly immense consumption of beer and white sausage. Oktoberfest was created to celebrate a wedding from 1810 in the Bavarian ruling house, in which a horse race and public festival were held to honor the occasion. The following year, the festival was repeated and expanded with an agricultural exhibit to give the Bavarian's agricultural movement some development and improvement. Because of the weather, Oktoberfest was held in September in the following years. Visitors can find Bavarian specialties in 14 different large festival tents that are all decorated differently. Music will be provided until about 10:30 p.m. daily. This is also the time when most activities close down. Entertainment and fun will be available everywhere on the Theresienwiese fairgrounds including a large entertainment park with many different rides, candy and food stands. The city will be crowded and visitors are encouraged to make hotel reservations prior to arriving in Munich.