Germany's Oktoberfest began in Munich on October 17, 1810, when Prince Ludwig I married Princess Therese from Saxony-Hildburghausen (hence the name of the Theresienwiese or "Therese’s green.") To celebrate the marriage, Ludwig’s father, Maximilliam I, hosted a wedding feast in a meadow on the outskirts of Munich where the guests ate, drank and celebrated. The party was such a success that it became an annual tradition. One the largest celebrations in Europe, more than 10 million people attend the Munich festival each year.

Oktoberfest Denver, now one of the largest celebrations of its type in the nation, had some very humble beginnings. The original founder of Larimer Square's Oktoberfest, Hertha Thomas-Zagari, had no plans on creating this festival when she emigrated from Germany to Colorado years ago. She was more intent on running her International Importers shop on Larimer Square and skiing as she did in her beloved Alps. However, one fall day in 1969, she began to yearn for her native Germany and decided to have a small "Oktoberfest" of her own. She, along with her husband, Fred Thomas, purchased a keg of beer and began selling it for 50 cents a cup near the Larimer Square information booth, where The Capital Grille now stands.

As Hertha was a stranger to throwing public events, she hadn't realized that she needed a permit to sell the beer. Upon hearing this from a passing representative of the Denver Police Department, she decided that the only way around this was to give it away! That's right - the beer was free during the first Oktoberfest on Larimer Street. However, you can only imagine how quickly a keg of beer goes once you decide to give it away! The "festival" was quickly over, but plans for the following year were in motion.

The next year, Hertha and Fred grew the event, and it was soon a must-do with the local German community, as well as others who enjoyed having a good time on Larimer Square on a crisp, autumn day. Now, more than 35 years later, Oktoberfest Denver is attended by over a quarter-million people from the Denver Metro area, greater Colorado, and beyond! And more than just the people have changed. The event now features several hundred kegs, thousands of bratwursts (among other food and drink options), six days of live music, cultural dancing, and amusement rides.

Oktoberfest Denver made history again in 2007 when it moved from its previous home on Larimer Square to Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood. The new site, on Larimer Street from 20th to 22nd Streets, was chosen because it gives Oktoberfest the best opportunity to grow for future years. When Oktoberfest began on Larimer Square in 1969, it was established to stimulate economic growth in a specific section of downtown. Oktoberfest continues its commitment to the growth of the Denver community by bringing thousands of people to the diverse and dynamic Ballpark neighborhood.