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[MUSIC] Held in Munich, Germany,

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the Oktoberfest is the world's biggest

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beer festival, an orgy of drinking,

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eating, and singing.

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It all began on a joyous October day

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in the year 1810,

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hence my YouTube username,

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oktoberfest1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig,

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later King Ludwig I,

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the fairytale king's grandfather,

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married his bride,

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Princess Therese von Hildburghausen.

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The wedding reception was such a big hit

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that it materialized into a week-long

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party and an annual celebration,

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which now attracts some six million

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visitors from all over the world.

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Today, the fest could really be called

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the Septemberfest because it's been moved

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up a month to take advantage

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of the better weather.

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To figure out the formula

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for future Oktoberfest dates is easy.

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The fest always finishes on the first

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Sunday in October, unless, that is,

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a holiday follows on the

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succeeding Monday or Tuesday.

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Then it wraps up on either day.

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It begins two weeks prior on the Saturday.

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This year's Oktoberfest,

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for example, begins on Saturday...

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It takes two months for construction

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workers to transform the fairgrounds

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from its massive asphalt expanse

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to a pulsating city of beer tents

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and roller coasters,

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and one month to disassemble it.

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Now, Oktoberfest is held

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in the Theresienwiese,

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or Theresa's Meadow,

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locally referred to as the Wiesn,

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fairgrounds named in honor

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of Princess Therese, located half a mile

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southwest of Munich's main train station.

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Collectively, the six million people

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who visit the fairgrounds during

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the two-week event will consume some six

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million liters of beer as well as 400,000

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roasted chickens and 200,000

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pairs of sausages.

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A full stein weighs

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an average of five pounds.

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This gal here is carrying

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eight steins, about 40 pounds.

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Within the city limits of Munich,

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there are six breweries, Augustiner,

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Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Spaten,

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Paulaner, and Hacker-Pschorr.

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Primarily, each brewery is represented

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on the fairgrounds by two tents.

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The word tent, however,

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is wildly misleading since these massive

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structures are actually well-constructed

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beer drinking halls that hold

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upwards of 5,000 people.

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The largest of these is

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the Schottenhamel Tent belonging

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to Spaten, which holds some 10,000 people.

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Leading up to the official start

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of the Oktoberfest is the traditional

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opening day parade known as the Festival

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of Innkeepers, which begins in the city

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at 10:45 and finishes in front

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of the beer tents at 11:45.

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The parade is an hour-long procession

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of horse-drawn brewer wagons transporting

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the ceremonial first beer

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kegs to the fairgrounds.

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Riding on these wagons are the brewery

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owners along with their friends, family,

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and staff, many of whom are full-bosomed

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frauleins donning provocative dirndls.

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Additionally,

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you'll see the Burgermeister, or mayor

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of Munich, who will tap the first keg.

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Once the wagons arrive at the fairgrounds,

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the climax is not far off.

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At the stroke of 12 noon,

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in the Schottenhamel Tent,

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the Burgermeister clobbers the very first

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keg of Oktoberfest beer with a wooden

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mallet and proclaims, "O'zapft is!"

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Meaning, "It's tapped!"

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At that moment,

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a cannon rings out across the Wiesn,

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you can hear it in this clip,

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officially signaling the start

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of Oktoberfest and that beer can be

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served, precisely when determined bar

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maids begin the mad dash of carrying

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fistfuls of frothy mugs to dry-mouthed

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patrons crying out for beer like nesting

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chicks begging their mother for food.

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[FIREWORKS EXPLODING]

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The prelude to the second day

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of the Oktoberfest is another traditional

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parade, but this one happens to be

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the largest and most beautiful

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and historically rich folk

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costume parade in the world.

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Comprised of some 6,500 participants

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marching in a four-and-a-half-mile-long

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spectacle through the city

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to the fairgrounds.

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The participants are members of folk clubs

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from all parts of Germany and Europe,

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proudly displaying their regional colors.

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This is truly a spectacle

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not to be missed.

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Don't forget your camera.

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[MARCHING BAND MUSIC]

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Although, there are more than 100,000

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visitors every day

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to Munich's Oktoberfest,

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a trip here is an enjoyable must-do

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experience for young and old,

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families and friends.

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I'll now wrap up the narration and leave

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you with a few minutes of the sights

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and sounds of the world's greatest party.

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Enjoy!

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And hey, who knows?

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Maybe I'll see you there.

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[CROWD CHEERING] [CROWD

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SINGING] [LIVE AND BRIGHT].

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Here's one of the entrances

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to the beer tents.

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Let's go in and see what's going on.

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[CROWD CHEERING] [CROWD

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SINGING] [CROWD CHEERING]

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Ciao, ciao.

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[LAUGHTER] [CROWD CHEERING]

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[MUSIC]