MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - On this day - October 12, 1810 - the first Oktoberfest celebration was held in Munich, Germany.

The event was held to commemorate a royal wedding between the Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese.

In Wisconsin, La Crosse is one of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States. The city held its first Oktoberfest on the weekend of October 13, 1961.

In early 1960, civic leaders agreed that the city needed a community-wide activity. Several leaders of the La Crosse-based G. Heileman Brewing Company also wanted an annual promotion.

They came up with Oktoberfest, and it took off from there. It’s now the biggest celebration in the Midwest with over 60 locations.

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