Hacktoberfest is an annual event dedicated to promoting open source contributions throughout October, providing participants an opportunity to engage with open-source projects by addressing issues tagged with "Hacktoberfest" on GitHub. This initiative is particularly embraced by Elastic, which sees it as a chance to strengthen ties with the open-source community and benefit from the fresh input and feedback it generates. The event aims to demystify open-source contributions, likening the learning process to learning to ride a bike, and encourages newcomers to focus on projects that match their skills and interests, such as Logstash or Beats for those interested in Java, Ruby, or Go, and Rally or Curator for Python enthusiasts. Participants are advised to read contribution guidelines, choose manageable tasks, and maintain open communication with project maintainers. The ultimate goal is to facilitate newcomers' participation and emphasize that contributing to open source is a gradual process, akin to a marathon rather than a sprint, with the potential for significant personal growth and learning.