PHOTOS: Oktoberfest opens in Munich, Germany

Sunday, September 21, 2014
People celebrate the opening of the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 20.
People await the opening of the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 20.
Visitors enjoy the opening day of the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 20.
People celebrate the opening of the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany on Saturday, Sept. 20.
People enjoy a swing ride at the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 20.
People celebrate the opening of the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 20.
Young women celebrate the opening of the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 20.
PHOTOS: Oktoberfest opens in Munich, GermanyPeople celebrate the opening of the 181st Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 20.
AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

MUNICH -- Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter opened the city's annual Oktoberfest with the traditional call of "Ozapft is" to the delight of thousands who had managed to get a place in the main beer tent Saturday.

Some 6 million people are expected to visit what is billed as the world's biggest beer party that runs through Oct. 5.