Thousands of beer lovers celebrated the 189th start of Oktoberfest, the world's largest folk festival, as Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter inserted the tap into the first keg of beer on Saturday.

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter opened Germany's feted Oktoberfest by tapping the first barrel of beer at noon on Saturday, officially kicking off the world's largest folk festival. Reiter, a Social Democrat,

Oktoberfest will open after the ceremonial keg-tapping by Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter when he inserts the tap into the first keg at noon on Saturday

Thousands of beer lovers celebrated in the Munich, Germany, fairground as the first to clink their mugs during Oktoberfest, the world’s largest folk festival.

On Saturday at 9 am (0700 GMT) on the dot, the stewards opened the entrances to Munich's Oktoberfest, allowing visitors to rush towards the beer tents. Visitors to the Wiesn - as the event is known locally - then flocked in from all sides,

Oktoberfest will open after the ceremonial keg-tapping by Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter when he inserts the tap into the first keg at noon on Saturday.

It runs through Oct. 6 in 18 large tents on the Theresienwiese fairground. About 6 million visitors are expected over the 16 days.

Oktoberfest has opened in Munich after the ceremonial beer keg-tapping. Mayor Dieter Reiter officially started the 189th Oktoberfest at noon when he inserted the tap into the first keg.

The Oktoberfest hosts arrive Saturday for the start of the 189th beer festival in Munich, Germany. People cheer with mugs in the Hofbraeuhaus beer tent Saturday, the first day of the 189th Oktoberfest beer festival,

Thousands of beer lovers descended on the German city of Munich on Saturday for the opening of Oktoberfest. Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter officially started the event at noon when he inserted the tap into the first keg,