GERMANY: Preparations are underway for the world's largest annual beer party, the Munich Oktoberfest

Record ID: 751685

  • Title: GERMANY: Preparations are underway for the world's largest annual beer party, the Munich Oktoberfest
  • Date: 24th September 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (German) TONI ROIDERER, SPOKESMAN FOR THE OKTOBERFEST INNKEEPERS SAYING: "For the Wies'n (Oktoberfest) it's always nice to get those six million visitors because the effort and the expenses are so huge that we need such large numbers. What innkeepers are hoping for is a peaceful party, with as much sunshine as possible. The success of the Oktoberfest also depends on the weather, because people then act very differently." MEN DECORATING CASHIER'S HOUSE WOMAN PUTTING UP PLANTS MAN WALKING PAST STAND WITH GINGERBREAD HEARTS GINGERBREAD HEART READING "GREETINGS FROM THE OKTOBERFEST" MEN PUTTING UP GINGERBREAD HEARTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK MALLORY, MAYOR OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, U.S.A., MUNICH'S SISTER CITY SAYING: "This is my first time in Munich. It's a great opportunity to be here. We of course have an Oktoberfest celebration in Cincinnati as well. It's not nearly as large as the one here but we're just as proud."
  • Embargoed: 9th October 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Travel / Tourism
  • Reuters ID: LVACJQ10GS9G65FXSN68O5SMMVY
  • Story Text: Final preparations were being put together for the Munich Oktoberfest, opening Saturday (September 23).
    The two-week party each year attracts some 6.5 million visitors from around the world and the much sought-after seats in one of the 14 beer tents are sold out weeks before the official start of the Oktoberfest which traditionally opens in late September.
    Last year, 6.9 million "Mass" beers -- one litre mugs -- were sold, along with 494,135 roast chickens and 102 oxen, according to the city of Munich.
    Around 8,000 employees serve beer and food from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. in one of the tents, the largest of which can hold up to 10,000 people.
    "What innkeepers are hoping for is a peaceful party, with as much sunshine as possible," Toni Roiderer told Reuters Television.
    The spokesman for the Oktoberfest innkeepers said that "the success of the Oktoberfest also depends on the weather, because people then act very differently."
    This year's party will also be attended by the mayor of the U.S. city of Cincinnati, Ohio, Munich's sister city.
    Cincinnati mayor mark Mallory said that although "we of course have an Oktoberfest celebration in Cincinnati as well, it's not nearly as large as the one here. But we're just as proud."
    Not much has changed at the Oktoberfest over the years, except the price for a Mass, a hotly debated issue year after year: prices for a litre in 2007 range from 7.30 euros (10.21 USD) to 7.90 euros (11.05 USD). A year earlier, the most expensive litre of beer was 7.50 euros.
    The 174th Oktoberfest begins Saturday (September 23) andon Sunday (October 7).
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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