700,000 at opening weekend of first Oktoberfest since pandemic

Around 700,000 people visited Germany's Oktoberfest on its opening weekend despite cold, wet weather, organizers said on Sunday.

The figure is significantly lower than the 1 million people who visited in the same time period 2019 - the last Oktoberfest to be held before the coronavirus pandemic.

Clemens Baumgärtner, the head organizer of the event, said on Sunday that he was pleased with the opening and that he hoped the weather would improve over the coming two weeks.

Thousands of people dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes took to the streets of Munich on Sunday for the annual costume parade (Trachtenzug).

Bands, horses and ornamental carriages braved the elements, along with about 9,000 people in traditional costumes or sporting traditional firearms to provide a second official opening.

The marchers represented groups from all over Germany, as well as groups from as far away as the US and Canada. Many armed themselves with umbrellas, others opted for the traditional headwear to match their outfits.

Despite the rotten weather, tens of thousands turned out on Munich's streets to watch the parade on its way to the Oktoberfest grounds.

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter and Bavarian Premier Markus Söder were also there with their spouses, riding in special coaches.

Some dressed as antique barrel makers conjured up the spirit of the original beer industry professionals who, as the story goes, came out on the streets in the 16th century to dance and cheer up a population recovering from the Black Death.

The group has been active this year, having already taken to the streets a few times before the Oktoberfest to pep up a population weighed down by the coronavirus pandemic.

Other marchers included acrobatic dancers, marionette performers, mountain climbers and members of the Munich City Guard, a group once charged with keeping street brawls and bar fights under control.

At 7 kilometres long, the Oktoberfest's costume parade is the longest such parade in the world.