Munich's Oktoberfest finally back on after pandemic pause

2019 file photo of a waitress holding twelve glasses of beer during the opening of the 186th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany. The annual Oktoberfest festival is finally on again for this fall, following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The head of the famous Bavarian beer festival in Munich said Thursday. – Photo: AP

Germany's annual Oktoberfest festival is finally on again for this fall, following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the head of the famous Bavarian beer festival said Thursday.

"The Wiesn will take place,” Clemens Baumgaertner told reporters in Munich using the locals' Bavarian colloquialism for the Oktoberfest which is referring to the big lawn, or Wiese, where the boozy celebrations are taking place.