Munich's 'Oktoberfest'

Today, the 'Oktoberfest' is the largest festival worldwide attracting a multitude of visitors. Apart from beer tents the festival offers amusements as diverse as roller coasters, circus appearances, festival parades and live brass bands.
The ceremonial opening happens at noon. The mayor arrives in a festive coach followed by a decorated horse-drawn brewer's cart. Guests, staff and the numerous brass bands are all wearing traditional costumes (lederhosen and dirndls) for the occasion. At the end of the parade the major taps the first keg of beer and shouts, "o'zapft is!" (The keg is tapped).

It takes good nerves and a solid stomach to survive the festival's 16 days of intensive partying and drinking.
However, the festival is a huge success: Apart from attracting a multitude of visitors, the festivals brand name 'Oktoberfest' has been exported all over the world.
Of course, it is always best to get to know the real thing.