[MUSIC] Held in Munich, Germany,
the Oktoberfest is the world's biggest
beer festival, an orgy of drinking,
eating, and singing.
It all began on a joyous October day
in the year 1810,
hence my YouTube username,
oktoberfest1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig,
later King Ludwig I,
the fairytale king's grandfather,
married his bride,
Princess Therese von Hildburghausen.
The wedding reception was such a big hit
that it materialized into a week-long
party and an annual celebration,
which now attracts some six million
visitors from all over the world.
Today, the fest could really be called
the Septemberfest because it's been moved
up a month to take advantage
of the better weather.
To figure out the formula
for future Oktoberfest dates is easy.
The fest always finishes on the first
Sunday in October, unless, that is,
a holiday follows on the
succeeding Monday or Tuesday.
Then it wraps up on either day.
It begins two weeks prior on the Saturday.
This year's Oktoberfest,
for example, begins on Saturday...
It takes two months for construction
workers to transform the fairgrounds
from its massive asphalt expanse
to a pulsating city of beer tents
and roller coasters,
and one month to disassemble it.
Now, Oktoberfest is held
in the Theresienwiese,
or Theresa's Meadow,
locally referred to as the Wiesn,
fairgrounds named in honor
of Princess Therese, located half a mile
southwest of Munich's main train station.
Collectively, the six million people
who visit the fairgrounds during
the two-week event will consume some six
million liters of beer as well as 400,000
roasted chickens and 200,000
pairs of sausages.
A full stein weighs
an average of five pounds.
This gal here is carrying
eight steins, about 40 pounds.
Within the city limits of Munich,
there are six breweries, Augustiner,
Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Spaten,
Paulaner, and Hacker-Pschorr.
Primarily, each brewery is represented
on the fairgrounds by two tents.
The word tent, however,
is wildly misleading since these massive
structures are actually well-constructed
beer drinking halls that hold
upwards of 5,000 people.
The largest of these is
the Schottenhamel Tent belonging
to Spaten, which holds some 10,000 people.
Leading up to the official start
of the Oktoberfest is the traditional
opening day parade known as the Festival
of Innkeepers, which begins in the city
at 10:45 and finishes in front
of the beer tents at 11:45.
The parade is an hour-long procession
of horse-drawn brewer wagons transporting
the ceremonial first beer
kegs to the fairgrounds.
Riding on these wagons are the brewery
owners along with their friends, family,
and staff, many of whom are full-bosomed
frauleins donning provocative dirndls.
Additionally,
you'll see the Burgermeister, or mayor
of Munich, who will tap the first keg.
Once the wagons arrive at the fairgrounds,
the climax is not far off.
At the stroke of 12 noon,
in the Schottenhamel Tent,
the Burgermeister clobbers the very first
keg of Oktoberfest beer with a wooden
mallet and proclaims, "O'zapft is!"
Meaning, "It's tapped!"
At that moment,
a cannon rings out across the Wiesn,
you can hear it in this clip,
officially signaling the start
of Oktoberfest and that beer can be
served, precisely when determined bar
maids begin the mad dash of carrying
fistfuls of frothy mugs to dry-mouthed
patrons crying out for beer like nesting
chicks begging their mother for food.
[FIREWORKS EXPLODING]
The prelude to the second day
of the Oktoberfest is another traditional
parade, but this one happens to be
the largest and most beautiful
and historically rich folk
costume parade in the world.
Comprised of some 6,500 participants
marching in a four-and-a-half-mile-long
spectacle through the city
to the fairgrounds.
The participants are members of folk clubs
from all parts of Germany and Europe,
proudly displaying their regional colors.
This is truly a spectacle
not to be missed.
Don't forget your camera.
[MARCHING BAND MUSIC]
Although, there are more than 100,000
visitors every day
to Munich's Oktoberfest,
a trip here is an enjoyable must-do
experience for young and old,
families and friends.
I'll now wrap up the narration and leave
you with a few minutes of the sights
and sounds of the world's greatest party.
Enjoy!
And hey, who knows?
Maybe I'll see you there.
[CROWD CHEERING] [CROWD
SINGING] [LIVE AND BRIGHT].
Here's one of the entrances
to the beer tents.
Let's go in and see what's going on.
[CROWD CHEERING] [CROWD
SINGING] [CROWD CHEERING]
Ciao, ciao.
[LAUGHTER] [CROWD CHEERING]
[MUSIC]