Oktoberfest under way in Munich after ceremonial keg-tapping
Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter opened Germany's feted Oktoberfest by tapping the first barrel of beer at noon on Saturday, officially kicking off the world's largest folk festival.
Reiter, a Social Democrat, handed over the first litre to the Bavarian Premier Markus Söder of the conservative Christian Social Union party.
The two are very far apart politically, but Reiter and Söder joined in a toast to a peaceful Wiesn, as the festival is known locally.
Only after the toast was completed was beer allowed to be served in the many tents pitched on the Wiesn, the festival's venue. This year a litre costs between €13.60 ($15.15) and €15.30. Since last year, drinking water has been available free of charge at fountains on the premises. Bottled water in a tent costs an average of over €10 per litre.
The weather forecasts for the first weekend looked promising – with temperatures expected to reach around 20 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Colder weather, including rain, is forecast to follow in the days after.
Amid mild autumnal temperatures and sunshine, the Wiesn landlords had travelled in a procession to the festival grounds in festively decorated carriages ahead of the official opening.
The first Wiesn fans – mostly clad in traditional dirndls and lederhosen – had been waiting at the entrances for the festival grounds to open at 9.00 am (0700 GMT) and flooded in towards the festival tents to secure a good spot.
Up to 6 million visitors are expected for this year's Oktoberfest by October 6.
Following recent attacks in the western city of Solingen and Munich, thought to have been motivated by Islamism, tighter security measures are in place.
Controls at the entrances and a high police presence have long been part of the event's sophisticated security concept, as are a ban on carrying larger bags, knives and glass bottles.
Drones are prohibited from flying over the site and video cameras are in place to monitor the venue.
Around 600 police officers are on duty during the 16 days of the festival, in addition to several thousands of stewards.
For the first time, the Wiesn is also available virtually: at the start of the festival, a virtual reality game from the Munich studio K5 Factory will be launched, in which visitors can visit the festival as avatars with VR glasses.
In addition, the Munich inclusion initiative vr4kids is offering a virtual visit to the Wiesn for disabled or sick children or anyone who can't make it themselves.
A fatal work accident cast a shadow over the build-up to Oktoberfest after a 20-year-old worker was fatally injured during a test ride on the Olympia Looping roller-coaster.
The roller-coaster is still scheduled to open on Saturday, however, after passing an official safety inspection.
