Germany braces for Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a massive economic and cultural highlight of the year for Munich, drawing six million visitors from around the world during its 16-day run and bringing in roughly one billion euros ($1.1 billion) in revenues.- Last year 6.3 million people attended Oktoberfest and drank 6.5 million litres (1.7 million gallons) of beer, a particularly strong brew made specially for the event.
- The mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter has tapped the first keg of beer to kick off the 182nd traditional German folk festival Oktoberfest.
- The event was originally held in October, as the name suggests, to celebrate a royal wedding but was brought forward by one month to take advantage of better weather.
- Prices for a “Mass” or large glass of beer have soared in recent years and will now set drinkers back between 10 euros and 10.40 euros, around $11.40.
- Although Oktoberfest began 205 years ago, this year marks the 182nd edition as the party was cancelled during two world wars, two cholera outbreaks, Napoleon’s invasion of Bavaria and the hyperinflation of the 1920s.
- On Saturday, however, only a few dozen asylum-seekers had arrived from Germany's southern border and were quickly ushered away by police. In contrast, hundreds of Oktoberfest revelers - many dressed in traditional Bavarian lederhosen and dirndl
- Some 500 police will be on duty at the Oktoberfest venue, where around 400,000 people are expected the first day, and Bavarian officials have asked the federal police for backup.
- While the event is often convivial in the daytime, drunk guests leaving the Wiesn fairgrounds often leave a trail of vomit at commuter stations, while fistfights and inebriated party-goers falling onto the tracks are not uncommon.
- Since the border checks were introduced, the number of new arrivals at Munich train station has dropped from recent heights of 20,000 people on each of the last two weekends.
Oktoberfest is a massive economic and cultural highlight of the year for Munich, drawing six million visitors from around the world during its 16-day run and bringing in roughly one billion euros ($1.1 billion) in revenues.
Germany braces for Oktoberfest
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