Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NOT JUST BEER
The Oktoberfest is not called the world biggest fair for nothing, and while most visitor's fo-
cus is on the
Bier
, there's quite a lot going on away from the tents.
The funfair with its big wheel, ye-olde test-your-strength booths and scarier 21st-century
rides are obvious attractions but magic performances, an agricultural show (it's more inter-
esting than it sounds) and stalls selling everything from Oktoberfest souvenirs to waffles
constitute other minor diversions. The first Sunday sees an impressive costumed procession
wend its way through Munich city centre, a tradition going back to 1835, and the custom-
ary religious Oktoberfest mass is held in the Hippodrom beer tent on the first Thursday. A
brass band concert huffs and puffs beneath the Bavaria statue on the morning of the second
Sunday near the spot from where the gun salute is fired on the last Sunday. These events
are mostly attended by locals, but give a more traditional insight into the origins and cus-
toms of this blockbuster fair for those with a deeper, less inebriated interest.
