In 1811 for the first
time the �Oktoberfest� and the central agricultural exhibition were celebrated together on the
beautiful grass carpet of the Theresienwiese. The horse race took place on October 13. No less
than 30 horses were in the race, and Xaver Krenkel won first prize. On October 14, the agricultural
exhibition was conducted. It was a livestock show with 135 competing stock, and a livestock market for
which 1,206 pieces of stock had been rounded up.
King Max Joseph and Crown Prince Ludwig showed up on
the Theresienwiese both days. Thus the �Oktoberfest� was exalted to the true �Bavarian National Festival�.
In his 100 years comprising chronic, Ernst von Destouches - the city chronicler -
had reported the main happenings on the �Wies�n� (Theresienwiese). Slowly but surely the Oktoberfest expanded.
As early as 1818 bowling lanes, swings, and merry-go-rounds were erected, and the nice smelling odor
of fish snack bars permeated the air.
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