Oktoberfest, 2009

The 176th Oktoberfest started on Saturday the 19th, kicked off by Munich Mayor Christian Ude, tapping the first keg with a cry of "O'zapft is!". With predictions of over 6 million visitors heading to Munich, the festival runs until October 4th. This year, a traditional liter of beer will cost visitors about 8 euros (11.75 dollars). And new this year: Oktoberfest iPhone apps, including a dictionary, ordering assistant and a blood-alcohol calculator. Collected here are a few photographs from the first couple of days of Oktoberfest 2009. (31 photos total)

A waitress carries beer mugs at the Hofbräuhaus beer tent on September 19, 2009 in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

A young man prepares decorations in an Oktoberfest festival tent in Munich, southern Germany, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Christof Stache) #

Festively decorated horses are seen during the opening of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

Lollo and Luka sit in their carriage in traditional costume during the Oktoberfest parade in the city of Munich, southern Germany, on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Christof Stache) #

A man wearing flowers on his hat marches during the marksmen's parade on the second day of the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2009 at the "Theresienwiese" in Munich, southern Germany. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) #

Workers move the first beer barrel for the opening day of the 176th Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Uwe Lein) #

Munich mayor Christian Ude taps the first beer barrel on the first day of the Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Uwe Lein) #

Revellers crowd the Hofbräu beer tent on the second day of the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2009. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) #

A traditional Bavarian band plays during the marksmen's parade at the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2009 at the "Theresienwiese" in Munich, southern Germany. (JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images) #

Participants of the marksmen's parade have their first beer after the parade at the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2009 (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) #

A police woman is offered a flower during the marksmen's parade during Oktoberfest on September 20, 2009 in Munich, Germany. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) #

Visitors crowd the Bäurosl beer tent on the second day of the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2009. (STEFFI LOOS/AFP/Getty Images) #

A girl looks at gingerbread hearts at the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2009 at the "Theresienwiese" in Munich. (STEFFI LOOS/AFP/Getty Images) #

A waitress picks up a tray of chicken from the kitchen at the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 19, 2009 in Munich, Germany. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) #

A waiter carries a tray with different Bavarian dishes on September 20, 2009 in Munich, Germany. (Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) #

Visitors crowd the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 19, 2009 at the "Theresienwiese" in Munich, Germany. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) #

Visitors enjoy late night rides at the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 19, 2009 in Munich. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) #

A man eats "Schweinshaxe" (pork) at Loewenbraeu beer tent during day 2 of the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2009 in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

Policemen walk across the festival grounds of the 176th Oktoberfest beer festival on September 19, 2009 at the "Theresienwiese" in Munich. (SASCHA SCHUERMANN/AFP/Getty Images) #

Young men in traditional lederhosen enjoy their beer at Schottenhamel beer tent during day 2 of the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2009 in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

Visitors of the 176th Oktoberfest beer festival in the Löwenbräu tent on September 20, 2009. (SASCHA SCHUERMANN/AFP/Getty Images) #

Young women in traditional dirndl dresses pose with beer mugs at the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 19, 2009. (OLIVER LANG/AFP/Getty Images) #

Visitors enjoy a ride at the Oktoberfest beer festival on September 19, 2009. (STEFFI LOOS/AFP/Getty Images) #

Riders on the "Top-Spin" ride are suspended upside down during Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany on September 19, 2009 (Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) #

Visitors of the Oktoberfest beer festival ride on the "Power Tower" on September 19, 2009. (JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images) #

Visitors rest against a wall on September 20, 2009, during Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. (STEFFI LOOS/AFP/Getty Images) #

A waitress serves mugs of beer during the opening of the Oktoberfest in Berlin September 9, 2009. (REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch) #

A woman sips her beer on September 21 2009 in Munich, Germany. (Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) #

Visitors raise a toast during the 176th Oktoberfest beer festival on September 20, 2009 in Munich. (OLIVER LANG/AFP/Getty Images) #

A member of a brass band in traditional Bavarian attire participates in the riflemen's parade on September 20, 2009 in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

A man wearing a wig poses with his empty beer mug on September 21 2009 in Munich, Germany. (Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) #