Today is not only the first day of autumn, but the first day of the Oktoberfest in Munich. I went there once, many years ago (in the pouring rain) and decided I was not the beer festival type! (Too many people for a country bumpkin like me!)
Originally the festival was in October, but since the weather is often quite pleasant in mid-late September, it was brought forward a few days.
I do enjoy watching the news on this day, and hearing the famous words of the opening ceremony spoken by Munich’s mayor:
O’zapft is’
… which means, the first barrel of the specially brewed Oktoberfest beer has been tapped.
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
If you are interested in learning more about the festival, the official website is very good (and this link is the English version): www.oktoberfest.de
Have a look at all the lovely Bavarian dresses, costumes and Lederhose! 
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
Nice golden fall flower. Happy Autumn to you!
Thanks pbmgarden (wish I knew your name!), and a nice weekend too!
Thanks! I’m Susie.
Sometimes I watch the Parade of the groups on TV. This year a group of my town takes part. From Northern Germany to Munich.
The parade on Sunday is lovely too, with all the costumes!
I know it well Im German…father born there..
It’s the biggest festival in the world, and they expect 6 or 7 million visitors over the next two weeks!
Oh yeah…it *is* that time of year! Our local microbrewery will be trotting out their Oktoberfest beer this weekend…
I’m with you on the Large Crowd thing…
It seems to be a global thing these days! LOL!
Happy Octoberfest to you. I’m not a lover of large crowds either but enjoying a beer with a few friends is a great way to celebrate the season no matter where you live. – http://mary-goingnative.blogspot.com/
I used to love the dark beer brewed here, but nowadays I can’t drink much… and the Oktoberfest beer is a bit stronger than the normal beer!
I too love the golden days–but not the crowds and stink of spilled beer.
Precisely! It poured in Munich today, so I did feel sorry for them all. I’m happy to see a little of it on the news!
I´m also not the Oktoberfest-type. It´s too loud and all these people…. However I enjoy watching the concert on the telly.
I’ve never watched that, but like the parade.
Happy Autumn Cathy…we have many Oktoberfests here in the US…there are a few coming up soon!
I never realised so many people in different countries also have October beer festivals! LOL!
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Himself enjoyed a couple of visits to the Oktoberfest – well before I came along to spoil his fun
I like the festival part, the beer, not so much.
Same here, although that roller coaster they have in Munich put me off them for LIFE!