Horse races were part of the original festivities but were later replaced with agricultural shows, carousels, fun fair rides, an abundance of food and of course, the famous beer tents. The fields where the royal wedding took place were named after the Princess "The resienwiese" (Theresa's fields) which was later abbreviated to "Wiesen."

This year marked the 176th year of Oktoberfest which is now known to locals as simply "Wiesen."  Oktoberfest has become the biggest festival in the world attracting around 6 million visitors from around the globe.

Here in the good old USA, we celebrate harvest time with all kinds of festivals, including Oktoberfest.

The Chattanooga Market  will present their 8th Annual Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 25 from 11am-6pm at The First Tennessee Pavilion.

In true Bavarian style, festivities will include fresh grilled bratwurst and German potato salad, Home Brewing School with Chattanooga's Barley Mob Brewers, a classic Volkswagen show, and live entertainment by the Wurstbrats. The Chattanooga Market is located at 1829 Carter Street, downtown Chattanooga. For more information, call (423) 648-2496.

The Knights of Columbus of Crossville, TN will celebrate their 19th Annual  authentic German Oktoberfest on October 9-10 from 11:30am-9:30pm. The $9  dinner menu will be a choice of Pork Schnitzel (breaded pork loin) Kasseler Rippchen (smoked pork chop) or 2 sausages Knackwurst (pork and beef) Weisswurst (white pork and veal) or smoked bratwurst and include a choice of German potato salad, purple cabbage sauerkraut or cinnamon apples, bread and butter and for dessert German chocolate cake or cheesecake.

Imported beers and beverages and continuous live musical entertainment will be performed by Virgil Baker and the Just 4 Fun Band, playing a variety of music for both young and old, from pop oldies to polkas. The Rheingold Band and Bavarian Echo equipped with traditional Lederhosen (short leather pants held up by bright suspenders) will be sure to get the crowd into true Oktoberfest spirit with their performances of authentic German music. For more information call, (931) 707-7291 or visit crossvilleoktoberfest.com.

Dumplin Valley, Jefferson City, TN will hold their  Oktoberfest on October 9 at 6:30pm on a private farm on East Dumplin Valley Road. Families are invited to an evening of great musical entertainment for an autumn celebration under the stars. Concert performers covering a wide range of music will include; "Avenue C" from Maryville, "Grits" from Dumplin Valley, and the headliner will be "The Beat Daddys" from Nashville,  one of the nation's top performing Blues bands. Advanced tickets are $11 adults $6 for children - add $3 extra for tickets at the gate. Take along a lawn chair, cooler and a nice warm blanket and enjoy the music. For more information, call (865) 567-6944.

The annual Chilhowee Mountain Harvest Festival will be held October 17-18  10am-5pm at the Showbarn on Hwy 411, in beautiful Benton, Tennessee.

Celebrating it's 28th year, the festival will be held indoors and will feature crafts, music and the promise of some "healthful, tasty and unique regional food." For more information call The Showbarn  (423) 338-8649.

Fall colors are at their very best in the Smoky Mountains which make a spectacular setting for the countywide fall celebrations which include Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Throughout October an assortment of decorations using pumpkins, scarecrows, stacks of hay, and cornstalks will be on display.

Arts and Crafts created by the locals include quilting, candle making, pottery, basket weaving,  jewelry, dolls, scrimshaw, leather, stained glass, photography, fine art and much more.

While browsing the shops in Gatlinburg, visitors can experience sounds of the mountains with traditional Appalachian music as

well as blue grass and Gospel.

For those wishing to get right into the spirit of fall, finish the evening with an old fashioned hayride. For more information on Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, call 888-738-4378.

Another fun fall family event is the Cleveland Apple Festival which will be held at the courthouse square in downtown Cleveland on October 17-18.  The event will feature an arts and crafts show, live bluegrass music, pony rides, hay rides and children's contests,

as well as plenty of apples and food booths. Tickets are $4. For more information, call 423-503-4114.

East Tennessee has much to celebrate, especially in the Autumn with the abundance of harvest among the nation's most spectacular fall colors.

With two major German companies, Volkswagen and Wacker Chemie soon to be locating to this area, maybe now is a good time for Cleveland to plan a huge Oktoberfest to welcome them.