Oktoberfest has two parades, the first one entering the Theresienwiese. A second, much larger parade, takes place on the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest in downtown Munich. Featuring historical traditional costumes, gorgeous horses, farm animals, floats, carriages and thousands of performers, the annual parade and accompanying spectators fills the streets and sidewalks at the center of the city.
Every year the Oktoberfest takes place at the same spot, the Theresienwiese in Munich, the site of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig l to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in 1810.
Overlooking the festivities is Bayern, otherwise known as the Bavaria Statue. She is a 60-foot-high bronze lady representing the state of Bavaria, of which Munich is the capital. She was created between 1844 and 1860 and is one of the biggest cast bronze figures ever made. The lion, a symbol of Bavaria sits at her side.
The festival does not start in October as the name implies, but in the later part of September. It lasts for 16 to 18 days, ending the first Sunday in October.
According to Beerchurch.com, the Oktoberfest features 14 tents and halls. One of the most enduring sights is the Löwenbräu lion who sits over the entryway to the beer hall of the same name.
