Oktoberfest is actually the longest-running wedding anniversary celebration in history. Back in 1810, the marriage between King Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen was celebrated with a huge fair, horse race, and free-flowing beer and wine. Children were dressed up in traditional Bavarian costumes for the event.
The first costume parade was held in 1835, to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of the King and Princess. Since 1950, the parade has been a regular and a much loved part of Oktoberfest. Still today, the tradition continues in honor of the royal couple, though the festival has grown manifold in volume.
Close to 10,000 people from all over Europe participate in the parade, along with horses and flower-decked carriages, and the convoy ends up being almost seven kilometers long. The parade marches down the streets with the accompaniment of music, dance, and entertainment, spreading festive cheer along the way.
The Münchner Kindl (the coat-of-arms symbol of the Munich Child) leads the parade, followed by the Munich Mayor in the Schottenhammel family carriage. Since 1935, the breweries and restaurateurs setting up shop at Oktoberfest have been taking part in the parade. Floats and carriages representing the breweries and restaurateurs follow the Mayor’s carriage. The bands commissioned to play at the beer tents in Oktoberfest march alongside.