Munich’s Mayor Dieter Reiter has officially opened Oktoberfest at noon Saturday by tapping the first beer keg, marking the 189th start of the world’s largest folk festival. Thousands of beer lovers cheered and clinked their mugs at the Theresienwiese fairground as the celebration began in full swing.
Servers rushed to deliver trays loaded with up to eight mugs each, while revelers enjoyed their first gulps of beer inside the crowded tents. The festival, which runs through October 6, features 18 large tents spread across the fairground, offering visitors food, beer, and amusement park rides.
This year, Oktoberfest saw heightened security following the August 23 knife attack in Solingen, 470 kilometers northwest of Munich, which left three people dead and eight injured.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, prompting organizers to introduce metal detectors at the entrance for the first time in the festival’s history.
Despite the increased security measures, authorities assured there were no concrete threats against Oktoberfest.
Tens of thousands lined the streets early Saturday to witness the opening parade, while others hurried to secure tables inside the tents. Fest-goers played cards, gossiped, and explored the food stalls as they waited for the beer taps to open.
Chioma Kalu
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