Owing to its size and long tradition, the Oktoberfest in Munich continues to occupy a special place among popular festivals in Germany. Oktoberfest started with a horse race (accompanied by lots of beer and dancing) held on October 17, 1810, to mark the wedding of Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen (1792–1854) and Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (King of Bavaria 1825–1848). Since then, the annual sixteen-day event, which combines an amusement park, beer gardens (or tents), and an agricultural exhibition, developed into one of the world’s largest popular festivals. The fairground upon which Oktoberfest takes place was named Theresienwiese in honor of the bride. Wood engraving by Goetz, 1845.