Munich beer festival Oktoberfest kicks off

MUNICH, Germany, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) — The 189th Oktoberfest, one of the largest folk festivals in Germany, opened on Saturday in Munich, with mayor Dieter Reiter tapping the first barrel of beer as a tradition.
Starting from Saturday, visitors would be able to enjoy beers provided by renowned Munich breweries, as well as festival parades, local snacks, and amusement facilities.
With a history dating back to the 19th century, 6 million people around the world are expected to visit the festival every year nowadays.
According to the organizer, the beer price for Oktoberfest 2024 is between 13.60 euros (15.2 U.S. dollars) and 15.30 euros, an average of 3.87 percent higher than in 2023.
This year’s festival will last until Oct. 6. ■