Prost! Oktoberfest in Munich

A carousel spins during the 178th Oktoberfest in Munich, an event that started in 1810. (There were no festivities during the two World Wars.)

Millions were expected to attend Oktoberfest, which ended Oct. 3.

Beer drinkers wield one-liter mugs at the opening of Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept. 17. The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 in honor of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig's marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The annual event was moved up to September to take advantage of better weather.

A priest speaks during a church service at Oktoberfest in Munich. The mass was celebrated partly in memory of showmen, marketeers and 'Wiesn-Wirte' (Wiesn landlords).

A chef grills sausages during a sausage inspection at Oktoberest. The inspection commission tested eight different sausages from different tents.

Gabriele Weishaeupl tests a sausage during the sausage inspection at Oktoberest.

People toast during the opening ceremony of Oktoberfest on Sept.17.

A vendor waits for customers on a rainy day at Oktoberfest in Munich. Two days of heavy rain scaled down expectations at the world's biggest beer festival.

Oktoberfest waitresses wait for customers during a rainy day in Munich.

Tables sit vacant inside one of the tents at Oktoberfest.

People in traditional costumes dance during the Oktoberfest parade in Munich. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world typcally descend upon the Bavarian capital for the annual two-week event.

Revelers celebrate in the Hacker-Pschorr beer tent during Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese in Munich.

Three waitresses crouch beneath a piece of cardboard during a smoke break at Oktoberfest 2011.

An Australian visitor, dressed in a traditional German costume, sleeps near a crowd waiting to enter a beer tent in Munich.

A woman poses with a beer mug in the Hofbraeuhaus tent after the Sept. 17 opening of the famous Bavarian Oktoberfest beer festival.

Visitors enjoy a ride on a merry-go-round in an amusement park in front of St. Paul's church during Oktoberfest.

A mother and daughter ride the flying swings at Oktoberfest.

Men dressed in traditional Bavarian garments attend the opening day of the beer festival.

People reach for a beer mug in the Hofbraeuhaus tent after the opening of Oktoberfest.

A tourist shows off an Oktoberfest outfit inspired by traditional Bavarian dresses during opening day of the beer festival.

A Ferris wheel affords some fresh air during the start of Oktoberfest.

A barmaid hefts 12 mugs of beer to Oktoberfest guests.

Two visitors wear hats covered with hops.

Tens of thousands of revelers stroll at the Munich Oktoberfest on opening day.

Visitors rest in a grassy area during Oktoberfest.

Revelers wearing traditional Bavarian clothes embrace on the stairs of the St. Peter and Paul church after leaving the Oktoberfest celebration.