An agricultural show was added to Oktoberfest in 1811.
The first Oktoberfest took place in October 1810 as part of celebrations for the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Its centerpiece was a horse race held outside Munich on what became known as the Theresienwiese.
The event was popular enough to repeat the following year. In 1811, organizers expanded the horse-race celebration with an agricultural show intended to promote Bavarian farming. The addition reflected the importance of agriculture to the kingdom’s economy and gave farmers a public venue to display livestock, crops, equipment and other achievements.
The agricultural element was not merely a side attraction: it helped shape the festival’s early identity before Oktoberfest became primarily associated with beer halls and amusement rides. The Bavarian Agricultural Association was closely involved in organizing the early celebrations. Another nearby date can cause confusion: 1810 marks the first festival, while 1811 marks the addition of the agricultural show.