Munich, Sept 17: Munich has opened its doors to thousands of beer drinking merrymakers on Saturday (September 16) as the world`s biggest folk festival, the Oktoberfest, got under way in celebrations which this year last two days longer than usual. Germans, in party mood after the World Cup and cheered by a pickup in the economy, have 18 days to consume millions of litres of beer and hundreds of thousands of sausages as the festival has been extended to include Oct. 3`s public holiday. Munich Mayor Christian Ude broke open the first keg at midday and declared the 173rd festival open with the words "O`zapft is", or "the barrel is tapped". That was the cue for the oompah bands to start up and armies of buxom waitresses to begin serving litres ("Mass") of beer to the 100,000 thirsty guests squashed around long wooden tables in the 14 heaving beer tents. Merrymakers last year downed 6.1 million litres of beer and devoured 479,610 roast chickens and 55,913 knuckles of pork. Giant brezels and gingerbread hearts are also on sale. More than six million visitors are expected to attend this year`s 18-day long event.
More Info about OktoberFest : Link