Parade participants on a carriage loaded with beer barrels march towards Munich's Theresienwiese meadow during Sunday's costumes and riflemen's parade at the Oktoberfest beer festival on Sept. 17, 2006, in Munich, Germany. Organizers of the world's largest folk festival expect up to six million visitors to enjoy Bavarian beer in huge tents and exciting roller coasters on the fairgrounds.
Participants of a shooting club walk during the traditional costume procession of the beer festival Oktoberfest in Munich, southern Germany, on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006. The world biggest beer festival Oktoberfest will continue until Oct. 3, 2006.
People take part in the traditional costume parade during the second day of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany, sept. 17, 2006. About 8,000 participants show traditional costumes, dances and demonstrate Bavarian customs while marching through Munich's city center.
Waitresses raise their beer mugs while riding a coach through the crowd at the start of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006. The world's biggest beer festival expects six million visitors.
Visitors to the beer festival called Oktoberfest sit in the fun ride "Free Fall" beside a lion sculpture holding a beer mug in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006. The world's largest beer festival, the 173rd Oktoberfest, continues until Oct. 3.
Visitors raise their beer mugs in a tent at the start of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006. Six million visitors are expected during the 18-day drinking spree.
A waitress carries a load of beer mugs at the start of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006. The world's biggest beer festival opened Saturday.
Christian Ude, Mayor of Munich, opens the Oktoberfest after he taps the beer barrel in a marquee in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006. The 173rd Oktoberfest continues through Oct. 3.
An aerial view of Munich's illuminated Theresienwiese meadow during the opening evening of the traditional Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany on Sept. 16, 2006.