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Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

200 years on, fun, frolic and beer continues to flow in Bavarian capital Munich.

Oktoberfest, the largest festival in the world, is attended by some six million visitors from all around the world every year.

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Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

Oktoberfest, a festival of Munich's beer and one of the Bavarian capital's trademarks, is a household term in all parts of the world. It is not without good reason that there are around 3,000 'sister' Oktoberfests spread out all over the world.

And who doesn't dream of experiencing the original in Munich some time in their life or at least of visiting the 'beer Mecca' one day?

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

The festival has much more to offer than exciting roller-coasters and huge beer tents.

While on the Oktoberfest grounds high-tech rides and attractions such as the Olympia Looping and the Star Flyer spin visitors at racing speed to dizzying heights, huge festival halls seating up to 10,000 guests invite revellers to enjoy beer and chicken.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

The anniversary celebration is dedicated to the origin and history of the world's largest folk festival.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

It offers fairground entertainment that has become rare, such as nostalgic merry-go-rounds and public spectacles, horse races and animal shows, art, culture and historical customs, special culinary delights and a multi-faceted programme for children.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

Four years after Bavaria was proclaimed a kingdom, Crown Prince Ludwig -- who later became King Ludwig I -- and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen celebrated their wedding on October 12, 1810.

The official wedding festivities lasted five days and were staged as a grand ovation to the ruling dynasty of the young Wittelsbach kingdom.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

The downtown festivities, which were known as a 'folk festival', were brought to a finale on October 17 with a horserace on a meadow in front of the gates of Munich.

In honour of the bride, the festive meadow was named 'Theresens-Wiese'. Thus the grounds for Oktoberfest are called "Theresienwiese" till today -- a term that was abbreviated to 'Wiesn' in common Munich parlance.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

The decision to repeat the popular horse race at the same time the following year gave rise to the tradition of 'October festivals', which have thrilled guests from all over the world for 200 years.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

Twice a day horses compete in the grand arena of the racetrack.

Guests can watch the races from a grandstand and enjoy the presentation of historic customs, groups dressed in traditional attire and folk dancing.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

The museum tent of the Munchner Stadtmuseum and the Munich Association of Showmen is presenting historical exhibits and rides from the olden days.

Here you can experience the 'Ride into Paradise' built in 1939 as well as the 'Calypso' from the 1950s.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

At the 'Herzkasperl' tent, a free cultural programme with readings and political satire, folk music and city sound awaits spectators.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

At the historical festive tent traditional customs including folk dance, whip-cracking demonstrations and Bavarian brass bands are presented every day.

There you can celebrate as the Bavarian ancestors did 200 years ago: When classical Munich dishes such as "B fflamott" (beef stew) and "Rumfort soup" (stew with vegetables and pulses) and beer jointly brewed for this occasion by Munich breweries are served exclusively during the anniversary celebration.

Hick! Fun and froth at world's largest beer fest

A special programme for children with pony rides, lemonade garden close to the festive tent, 'Kasperltheater' (Punch and Judy show), petting zoo and various games round out the attractions of the anniversary celebration.