The first-ever Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. The closing ceremony included a horse race and an enormous feast for all of Bavaria. When the decision was made to repeat the horse races the following year, the Oktoberfest tradition was created!
Wedding of King Ludwig I of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen: The Origin of the Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest officially begins on the second to last Saturday in September at noon when the mayor of Munich taps the first barrel at the Schottenhamel Tent, crying "O’zapft is” (It’s open). The festival concludes the first Sunday of October following German reunification day on October 5.
200 years ago it was a simple wedding celebration. Today, it welcomes around 7 million people from around the world, for 18 days of festivities!! In 2013, 6.7 MILLION liters of beer were consumed!
In German, the word Stein means stone and is not used to refer to a beverage container.
Music entertainment at the Oktoberfest.
Aurora Oktoberfest is happening on Saturday, October 5th from 12 noon until 12 pm at the Aurora Soccer Club, 510 Industrial Parkway South in Aurora. With a floored tent on the soccer field we’re fully prepared with local craft beers, live music from The Black Forest Band, performances from professional German dancers and lots of delicious food, it really is set to be an amazing day out! There’ll be prizes to be won, entertainment for the kids, face painters and many more to be added!
Tell your friends, invite your family, bring the neighbors – it’s going to be a fantastic day, experiencing and celebrating this wonderful German tradition! Although not compulsory, we’d love it if you could embrace the traditional German costume and dress up for the day! So come and join us on Saturday, October 5th, and be prepared to drink, socialize and be merry! Tickets can be purchased online via SNAPD or at the various locations in York Region.
Aurora Soccer Club - 510 Industrial Pkwy S, Aurora, ON L4G 6W8
Sports Clips Aurora - 15380 Bayview Ave, Aurora, ON L4G 7J1
Sports Clips Newmarket - 17205 Leslie St, Newmarket, ON L3Y 8Y8
Market Brewing Company - 17775 Leslie St #4, Newmarket, ON L3Y 3E3
“PROST!”
The Aurora Oktoberfest Team