Brilliant sunshine and a thirst for German beer brought hundreds of Wokingham residents out to Peach Place this weekend as Sit & Sip’s Oktoberfest made a triumphant return. I was there on Saturday, September 27, to soak up the atmosphere, and the square was buzzing with life from start to finish.
The free event ran from 12 noon until midnight, with entertainment for all ages. A lively Oompah band had the crowd singing and clapping along between 3pm and 6pm, while local favourites Bang Out of Order kept the music going until 10pm. The bar stayed open until midnight, ensuring that steins were raised high throughout the day.
As I wandered through the crowds, I caught up with Clive Jones MP, who, like me, was enjoying a pint in the sunshine. We were both amazed by the long queues of people and agreed that this was the most successful Oktoberfest yet in Peach Place.
Great to see food stalls from Grilko, Hamlet, Bombay Story and Knead.
I’ve always thought the square was made for these sorts of events. We need more of them in Wokingham – they’re good for business, great for the residents, and help put real life into the town.
The Origins of Oktoberfest
While Wokingham’s celebration had a wonderful local twist, it’s rooted in a much older tradition that began in Munich, Germany, more than 200 years ago. The first Oktoberfest took place in October 1810, marking the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Citizens of Munich were invited to join in the festivities, which featured horse races, music, and of course, plenty of beer.
The event was such a success that it became an annual festival, later moved into September to take advantage of better weather. Today, Munich’s Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the world, drawing over six million visitors each year. Traditional Bavarian beer, pretzels, sausages, music, and fairground rides have made it a global icon of celebration.
A Bavarian Tradition with a Wokingham Twist
This weekend in Peach Place proved that you don’t have to travel to Germany to experience the joy of Oktoberfest. With music, sunshine, community spirit, and more than a few steins of German beer, it felt like Wokingham had captured the essence of Munich while making it its own.
For me, the success of the event showed just how much people in the town value these occasions. I hope Oktoberfest becomes a firm fixture in Wokingham’s calendar – a celebration that keeps Bavarian tradition alive while adding our own local flavour.
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— Report by Nick Marr
