Oktoberfest is open. The world’s largest folk festival begins after ceremonial keg-tapping

**Oktoberfest is Open**. The world's largest folk festival kicks off with a ceremonial tap.
Waitstaff filmed the opening of the 189th Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, September 21, 2024. (Matthias Schrader/AP Photo)
**By Stefanie Dazio**
**Associated Press**
Published on September 21, 2024, at 7:11 PM +0330
Munich - Oktoberfest is open.
Mayor Dieter Reiter officially opened Oktoberfest at noon on Saturday by tapping the first keg of beer, marking the start of the 189th festival. Thousands of beer enthusiasts gathered at the Munich fairground as the first to clink their glasses at the world’s largest folk festival.
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Waitstaff immediately began carrying trays—each holding 8 glass mugs—to the tables. Revelers started clinking their glasses and drinking beer in the sweltering heat of the tent.
The festival runs until October 6 in 18 large tents covering the Theresienwiese fairground.
### Security Measures:
This year’s festival includes security measures following a deadly knife attack in Solingen, a city 470 kilometers northwest of Munich. The violence on August 23 resulted in three deaths and eight injuries, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility, though without evidence. Consequently, for the first time in the history of Oktoberfest, organizers added metal detectors to the security line, although they stated that there is no specific threat.
Tens of thousands lined the streets early Saturday to watch the opening parade, while others raced for tables inside the tents. They played hooky, played cards, and strolled the fairground to check out food options and amusement park rides before the drinking began.

Despite security officials' efforts to keep the parade orderly, revelers ran to the fairground as soon as the gates opened at 9 AM. They laughed despite the chilly morning—one could be heard shouting, "Why are we running!"—and ran again to line up for spots inside the tents.

An estimated 6 million visitors are expected over the 16-day festival—with up to 600,000 people each day—and can expect to pay between €13.60 and €15.30 ($15.12 to $17.01) for a 1-liter (33-ounce) beer. This year’s prices are approximately 3.87% higher than in 2023.

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Michael Kaslitz, 24, born and raised in Munich, has attended the Oktoberfest for years. He says everyone should travel to Munich for the festival at least once in their life.

He joked, "It can get really crowded and disgusting when people are stumbling around the roads, but overall it’s a really fun experience."

Ollie Standen woke up at 6 AM to queue early for Oktoberfest, where beer starts flowing at noon. The 21-year-old from England, in Munich this year for a university exchange program, said a local friend urged him to join the celebration. He said he is eager to try different German beers usually not found in the UK.

"It's a big German tradition, and I'm excited to be here," he said.

The event was skipped in 2020 and 2021 due to officials grappling with COVID-19 but returned in 2022.

### History of the Festival:
The first Oktoberfest was held on October 17, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The venue, then a meadow on the edge of Munich, was named "Theresienwiese" in honor of the bride. While the name remains, the start date has been moved to September when temperatures in Bavaria are usually warmer.