[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]