ONTD_Political's PotD: October 17, 2010.
On Saturday, September 18th, with the tapping of the first keg by Munich Mayor Christian Ude and a cry of "O'zapft is!", Oktoberfest 2010 officially started in Munich, Germany. While this year marks the 177th Oktoberfest to be held, 2010 is the 200th anniversary of the very first Oktoberfest in 1810 (some years were missed due to war or cholera outbreaks). The Oktoberfest tradition started in 1810 to celebrate the October 12th marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to join in the festivities which were held over five days on the fields in front of the city gates. This year, festivities [ran] until October 4, 2010. Collected here are a few images from [that] opening weekend.
Visitors wearing historical dresses drink beer and eat during the second day of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
(AP | Matthias Schrader)
A young woman wearing a traditional Bavarian "Dirndl" smiles as she receives a mug of beer in the Hofbrauhaus tent after the opening of the Oktoberfest beer festival at the Theresienwiese in Munich, southern Germany, on September 18, 2010.
(Thomas Kienzle | AFP/Getty Images)
Women decorate gingerbread Oktoberfest hearts with icing in the "Zuckersucht" bakery in Aschheim near Munich September 16, 2010. Zuckersucht produces about one million gingerbread hearts for very Oktoberfest season.
(REUTERS | Michaela Rehle)
Alphorn blowers await the beginning of the opening ceremony of the "Historical Wiesn" in Munich on Friday, Sept. 17, 2010.
(AP Photo | Matthias Schrader)
Bavarian riflemen march in the traditional costumes at the riflemen's procession on the occasion of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
(AP Photo | Matthias Schrader)
A tired Bavarian boy in traditional dress is pulled by two participants during the traditional costume and riflemen's procession of the Oktoberfest festival in Munich on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
(AP Photo | Matthias Schrader)
Revelers reach out for a spilling mug of beer in the Hofbrauhaus tent after the opening of the Oktoberfest beer festival at the Theresienwiese in Munich on September 18, 2010.
(Thomas Kienzle | AFP/Getty Images)
Women wearing traditional Bavarian Dirndls scream during an amusement ride at the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich on September 18, 2010.
(SEBASTIAN WIDMANN | AFP/Getty Images)
Drunk visitors rest in the grass during the opening day of the Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese on September 18, 2010 in Munich, Germany.
(Alexandra Beier | Getty Images)
A man with a curled beard visits the Oktoberfest beer festival at the Theresienwiese in Munich on September 19, 2010.
(ANDREAS GEBERT | AFP/Getty Images)
A waitress carries a tray with Bavarian dishes through a group of visitors inside the Schottenhamel beer tent during day 2 of the Oktoberfest on September 19, 2010 in Munich, Germany.
(Miguel Villagran | Getty Images)
An Oktoberfest visitor shows off his might as he hits a strength-meter with a hammer during day 2 of the Oktoberfest on September 19, 2010 in Munich, Germany.
(Miguel Villagran | Getty Images)
A little girl on her father's shoulders eats cotton candy on the Theresienwiese in Munich during Oktoberfest on September 19th, 2010.
(Joerg Koch | dapd)
Visitors crowd at the Theresienwiese fairground of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, September 19, 2010. The world's biggest beer festival Oktoberfest runs until October 4, 2010.
(AFP/Getty Images)
Musicians of a traditional Bavarian brass band take part in the traditional Oktoberfest costume parade through the streets of Munich, southern Germany, September 19, 2010.
(AFP/ Getty Images | Christof Stache)
A woman sits between musicians during the second day of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
(AP | Matthias Schrader)
The Oktoberfest ferris wheel is pictured during the opening day of the Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese on September 18, 2010 in Munich, Germany.
(Getty Images | Alexandra Beier)
A waitress carries a load of one liter beer mugs to thirsty customers at the start of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010.
(AP | Matthias Schrader)
Overview of the Oktoberfest beer festival at the Theresienwiese in Munich, southern Germany, on September 18, 2010.
(AFP/ Getty Images | Sebastian Widmann)
A couple wearing hats with the writing 'Oktoberfest 2010' rest on street during day 2 of the Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese on September 19, 2010 in Munich, Germany.
(Getty Images | Miguel Villagran)
Source galleries:
- "Oktoberfest marks 200 years" | The Frame | SacBee.com
- "Oktoberfest 2010" | The Big Picture | Boston.com