Germany's Oktoberfest sees 3.6 million visitors
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Women wearing traditional Bavarian dresses Dirndl pose with beer mugs under a tent during the Oktoberfest beer festival fair at the Theresienwiese in Munich, southern Germany, on Sept 27, 2012. The city of Munich says this year's Oktoberfest folk festival has already attracted an estimated 3.6 million visitors. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A girl stands in front of gingerbread hearts at a booth during the Oktoberfest open-air concert at the Theresienwiese in Munich, southern Germany, on Sept 30, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Musicians perform during the Oktoberfest open-air concert at the Theresienwiese in Munich, southern Germany, on Sept 30, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A waitress carries meals during the Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept 28, 2012. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world will come to the Bavarian capital for the 179th Oktoberfest, which runs until Oct 7. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Visitors walk through the famous Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept 28, 2012. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world will come to the Bavarian capital for the 179th Oktoberfest, which runs until Oct 7. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Revellers toast with beer during the 179th Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept 28, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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A carousel rotates during the Oktoberfest, the German Beer Festival at the Cathedral Square, in Erfurt, central Germany, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. The Oktoberfest event in Erfurt started on Sept 22 and last until Oct 7, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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Traditionally dressed Bavarian men raise their steins and enjoy a sunny day of the famous Bavarian "Oktoberfest" beer festival in Munich, southern Germany on Tuesday, Sept 25, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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A young woman drinks a beer at the Theresienwiese Oktoberfest fair grounds in Munich, southern Germany, on Sept 24, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A little girl eats cotton candy, at the famous Bavarian "Oktoberfest" beer festival in Munich, southern Germany on Sunday, Sept 23, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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People rest on a meadow during the 179th Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept 23, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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An actor with black make-up on his face and hands performs during the Oktoberfest parade in Munich on Sept 23, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Women wearing traditional Bavarian dresses Dirndl pose with beer mugs under a tent during the Oktoberfest beer festival fair at the Theresienwiese in Munich, southern Germany, on Sept 27, 2012. The city of Munich says this year's Oktoberfest folk festival has already attracted an estimated 3.6 million visitors. -- PHOTO: AFP
A girl stands in front of gingerbread hearts at a booth during the Oktoberfest open-air concert at the Theresienwiese in Munich, southern Germany, on Sept 30, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
Musicians perform during the Oktoberfest open-air concert at the Theresienwiese in Munich, southern Germany, on Sept 30, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
A waitress carries meals during the Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept 28, 2012. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world will come to the Bavarian capital for the 179th Oktoberfest, which runs until Oct 7. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Visitors walk through the famous Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept 28, 2012. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world will come to the Bavarian capital for the 179th Oktoberfest, which runs until Oct 7. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Revellers toast with beer during the 179th Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept 28, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A carousel rotates during the Oktoberfest, the German Beer Festival at the Cathedral Square, in Erfurt, central Germany, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. The Oktoberfest event in Erfurt started on Sept 22 and last until Oct 7, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
Traditionally dressed Bavarian men raise their steins and enjoy a sunny day of the famous Bavarian "Oktoberfest" beer festival in Munich, southern Germany on Tuesday, Sept 25, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
A young woman drinks a beer at the Theresienwiese Oktoberfest fair grounds in Munich, southern Germany, on Sept 24, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
A little girl eats cotton candy, at the famous Bavarian "Oktoberfest" beer festival in Munich, southern Germany on Sunday, Sept 23, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
People rest on a meadow during the 179th Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept 23, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
An actor with black make-up on his face and hands performs during the Oktoberfest parade in Munich on Sept 23, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
BERLIN (AP) - The city of Munich says this year's Oktoberfest folk festival has already attracted an estimated 3.6 million visitors.
Officials are expecting a total of about 6 million visitors to celebrate the 16-day extravaganza, now half over, but the beer festival's start indicates the final number might well be higher.
The city said Sunday that visitors have consumed 3.6 million two-pint mugs of beer so far. A mug, called "mass" in German, of the malty pale beer sells for up to 9.50 euros (S$15). Last year's visitors downed almost 8 million mugs.
Locals often visit the Oktoberfest in traditional costumes, with men wearing Bavarian Lederhosen leather shorts and women in bright costumes. The city says visitors mostly come from Germany, neighbouring countries, Italy, the United States, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.
