MUNICH -- Oktoberfest is open. Mayor Dieter Reiter officially started Oktoberfest at noon Saturday when he inserted the tap into the first beer keg, signaling the 189th start of the festival. Thousands of beer lovers celebrated in the Munich fairground as the first to clink their mugs during the world’s largest folk festival.

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

Ceremonial keg-tapping signals the start of Oktoberfest, opening the world’s largest folk festival for the 189th time

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 is open. Mayor Dieter Reiter officially started Oktoberfest at noon when he inserted the tap into the first keg, signaling the 189th start of the festival. Thousands of beer lovers celebrated in the Munich fairground as the first to clink their mugs during the world’s largest folk festival.