The largest folk festival in the world could take place this year with its tranquil extension, the nostalgic Oidn Wiesn with historical rides, quieter festival tents and tranquil stalls. This was actually not planned this year because the 126th Bavarian Central Agricultural Festival was scheduled to take place from September 21st to 26th on the southern part of the Theresienwiese.
The ZLF is “an agricultural exhibition with a festival character. Visitors from town and country can discover current trends in agriculture and forestry. Plus breathtaking horse shows and shows in the Great Ring that change every day – the ZLF is simply worth a visit”: This is how the event took place on Still Thursday evening on your own homepage Applied.
Registrations for exhibitors were also still possible, although the news was already circulating that the ZLF 2024 would not take place. The Münchner Zeitung was the first to have this tz reported. According to their statement, the Bavarian Farmers’ Association canceled the festival-like exhibition – due to a lack of exhibitors.
The ZLF has been held every four years since 1996 (previously it was held every three years). It was canceled in 2020 due to the corona pandemic. In 2016, 280,000 visitors came to see what was being shown in 15 halls by 650 exhibitors. For this year, so the tz, less than half of the agricultural machinery exhibitors had registered. The event could not be run economically this way.
The ZLF has a long tradition. Like Oktoberfest, it traces its roots to the horse race held for the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig in 1810. It is now unclear how this tradition will be continued. There is time until 2028 to find a solution.
Munich economics officer Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) Munich also confirmed the development Evening News. Several innkeepers told the SZ that plans for an Oide Wiesn were becoming concrete due to the presumed discontinuation of the ZLF.
In 2023, there were three large festival tents on the 3.5 hectare area, which can be entered for four euros per person: the Volkssängerzelt Schützenlisl, the Tradition festival tent and the Herzkasperl festival tent. The rides cost around 1.50 euros per ride.
In order to be able to offer something similar this year, things have to happen quickly: the tenders have to be properly prepared. Oktoberfest 2024 will take place from September 21st to October 6th.