Oktoberfest
Peaceful “Magnificent Wiesn” – Lots of guests, fewer stakes
Thousands of people crowd the Oktoberfest grounds in Munich. photo
© Peter Kneffel/dpa
The sun is shining, people are streaming in – the festival director speaks of a “magnificent Oktoberfest”. Despite the traditionally high beer consumption, things are generally peaceful. Some celebrities are also celebrating.
Lots of sun, more visitors – and still fewer police operations: around 3.4 million visitors came to the event by half time Oktoberfest, as the festival management reported on Sunday. That was not only more than in the rainy previous year (3 million), but also more than in 2019 at the last Oktoberfest before Corona (3.3 million).
Although beer consumption increased by around six percent, the police recorded fewer drunk driving cases after the festival – and the paramedics had to treat fewer drunk young people. In some tents, not the beer, but the table water did run out.
Festival director Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) spoke of a “summery, relaxed feeling”. “The weather gave us a truly magnificent Oktoberfest until halftime.” Innkeepers, showmen and market merchants are very satisfied – as are the security guards.
Even on Sunday, guests streamed towards the festival grounds in the morning – many in dirndls and lederhosen. There are more guests from abroad among the visitors: according to the festival management, they come mainly from the USA, Austria, Italy and France.
Celebrities among the guests
Celebrities also celebrated. On Sunday, the FC Bayern players went to the beer tent after the 7-0 win against VfL Bochum. The previous days, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was there with his girlfriend and his son. Cathy Hummels invited people to her Oktoberfest stroll. Actress Uschi Glas was seen at the “Damenwiesn” organized by rental car entrepreneur Regine Sixt, and Roberto Blanco and ex-footballers Giovane Elber and Hasan Salihamidzic were there at the “Almauftrieb”. Lothar Matthäus was also seen at the Oktoberfest.
Corona no longer seems to play a role, although the numbers are rising again. “People enjoy freedom to the fullest,” said Yvonne Heckl, spokeswoman for the Oktoberfest showmen.
Although more people attended the festival, the police reported fewer operations: Wiesnwache officers had to intervene 838 times, compared to 923 operations last year. The festival has so far been characterized by “a lot of sunshine and, on the other hand, by many peaceful and friendly encounters with the festival visitors,” reported the press spokesman for the Munich Police Headquarters, Andreas Franken.
Drug possession charges
However, there is a lack of compliance with the law when dealing with narcotics. 151 Oktoberfest guests were reported for drug possession, half of them had coke with them. At least drivers held back from drinking alcohol. There were 210 drunk driving cases – not even half as many as in 2019. There is more sensitivity when it comes to sexual offenses. The police reported the number of reports as 34 – and two rapes were also reported.
Paramedics and doctors at the Aicher Ambulance had to care for around five percent fewer patients with 3,390 people, three percent of whom had to go to hospital, fewer than ever before. It is also useful here that the Oktoberfest medical station is operated around the clock. 153 patients stayed overnight at the “Hotel Aicher”. Only 15 young people were taken to the medical station while heavily intoxicated, compared to 46 last year. That was a “positive conclusion,” said Aicher spokesman Michel Belcijan.