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It is often said that Oktoberfest is a celebration of the harvest and beer-making, but it’s actually rooted in something deeper: love.

According to numerous sources, the origin of the traditional and much-enjoyed fall celebration is Oct. 12, 1810, the date on which Bavarian Crown Prince Louis, later King Louis I of Bavaria, married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. To mark the occasion, the citizens of Munich were invited to participate in the grand fête on the grounds at the front of the city gates, renamed Theresienwiese (Therese’s fields) in honor of the bride. Locals later referred to the site in the abbreviated, “Wies’n,” as it’s still known today.

The royal wedding included victualers of beer and wine, horse racing and the song of a local children’s choir. The following year, a show of Bavarian agriculture was added to the anniversary festivities.

The festive occasion and its meaning have expanded over the years and today more so honors the history of Bavarian culture and maintains the spirit of bringing people together, as adapted in spin-off community celebrations worldwide.

“Instead of celebrating German heritage, we celebrate the Berkshire County heritage,” said Lynn Lefebvre Wallace, co-organizers of the Pittsfield, Mass.-based “Berktoberfest,” a charitable event which will mark its eighth year on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Munich’s official Oktoberfest celebration kicked off on Sept. 19, with the traditional tapping of a beer barrel by Mayor Dieter Reiter, and will continue through Oct. 4.

But wherever and whenever Oktoberfest is celebrated, there seems to be four main components to round out the festivities: music, beer, food and games.

The NorShaft Lions Club in North Bennington, Vt., is gearing up to host its fifth annual Oktoberfest event to benefit the organization’s charitable causes. NorShaft Lions outreach and publicity coordinator, Susan Coons, said the idea began with late member Laura Meehan, after a previous annual event was terminated. “The light bulb went on and she said let’s have an Oktoberfest,” Coons recalled.

The first year’s event, held at the historic Park McCullough House included music by the Rymanowski Brothers Orchestra, a polka band from Troy, N.Y.; dancing, food, and “a very popular beer tent,” Coons said with a chuckle.

This year’s expanded event, which returns on Saturday, Oct. 10, to Colgate Park on Route 9, will include a yodeling contest and free beer steins to the first 250 entrants.

Traditional Oktoberfest or Märzen-style beer is brewed during colder weather seasons of spring and fall. According to BeerAdvocate, Märzenbier tends to be characterized as being “full-bodied, rich, toasty, typically dark copper in color with a medium to high alcohol content,” while the Oktoberfest beer served at the Wies’n is “dark/copper in color, has a mild hop profile and is typically labeled as a Bavarian Märzenbier in style.”

Wheat beers and foreign and domestic fall specialty brews, such as spiced or pumpkin beers, also tend to be served.

Bratwurst, or “brats” are among the most standard Oktoberfest fare. The German-style sausages are usually made from veal, pork or beef, and can be served smoked, grilled or simmered in beer. Schnitzel, a cutlet of pounded out and breaded fried meat is another popular dish. Both are popularly pared with sauerkraut, a tangy side of shredded, fermented cabbage.

The third annual community Octoberfest at the Monterey Community Center in Monterey, Mass., will have brats in addition to American-style hot dogs for the less adventurous, during its Oct. 10 event.

To keep things lively, there are plenty of kinds of games offered at Oktoberfest celebrations.

The Monterey Octoberfest will include pumpkin rolling, while Berktoberfest favorites include a brat toss, beer mug holding contest and keg bowling.

All of the above festivals, as with the original Oktoberfest, will be held outside and under tents.

“I think it’s a wonderful way to celebrate this fantastic season,” said Lefebvre Wallace.

Coons agreed on the appeal of Oktoberfests. “As the cool air sets in … It’s the season of everything, from apples to pumpkins to spices and rosy cheeks. It’s kind of a way of welcoming the fall.”