MUNICH – Munich’s Oktoberfest officially opened Saturday as Mayor Dominik Krause tapped the first keg, marking the start of the 191st edition of the world’s biggest folk festival.
Krause needed just two strikes to open the barrel before declaring the traditional “O’zapft is” — Bavarian for “It’s been tapped.”
Thousands of visitors filled the beer tents at Munich’s Theresienwiese fairground early in the morning, many hoping to secure a prime place on the benches. Women in Bavarian dirndls and men in lederhosen soon joined in as brass bands played and the crowds sang, danced and swayed over freshly poured beer.
Beer was not the only popular fare. Pretzels, roast pork and sausages were among the festival’s most sought-after specialties.
The 16-day celebration runs through Oct. 4, with organizers expecting around 6 million people to attend. Most visitors are from Munich and southern Germany, although the festival also draws millions of guests from across the country and abroad.
Authorities have strengthened security after Oktoberfest was temporarily shut down last year because of overcrowding. According to the German news agency dpa, AI-powered cameras have been deployed this year to identify unusually large crowds at an early stage.
Knives and airborne objects, including drones, are banned at the festival. Visitors face entry checks, large bags are prohibited and marijuana smoking is forbidden. Around 600 police officers are stationed at the site, supported by Bavarian riot police, specialized pickpocket investigators and international teams from eight countries, dpa reported.
