PEOPLE AND PLACES

PEOPLE AND PLACES
All over the world in different countries, cultures, tongues, and colors are people who have the same basic desire for happiness and respect from his fellow men. We are the same all over as members of the human race. If we honor each other's boundaries with propriety and consideration our voyage thru life can be rich in knowledge and friendship..........AMOR PATRIAE

Monday, September 16, 2013

National Geographic celebrating 125 years AND OKTOBERFEST

 

 

 

  • National Geographic is celebrating 125 years dedicated to exploration, education, and conservation
  • From the famous 'Afghan Girl', to three men dwarfed by Egypt's majestic pyramids in 1938, National Geographic has brought us some of the world's most recognisable images

From the world's mightiest and most elusive creatures, to spectacular landscapes in the farthest flung corners of the globe, National Geographic has been capturing the wonder and diversity of our planet and its inhabitants for more than a century.

The publication is now celebrating its landmark 125th anniversary with a showcase of some of the most iconic and recognizable images to have graced its pages over the years.

The stunning series of photographs span decades and continents, from a trio of men on camels in the shadow of Egypt's pyramids in 1938, to the arresting beauty of a young Afghan refugee captured on camera in Pakistan in 1985.

King of the jungle: A mighty lion finds a place for a nap amid the branches of a tree in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, where the creatures are often spotted sleeping high above the ground in fig trees

King of the jungle: A mighty lion finds a place for a nap amid the branches of a tree in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, where the creatures are often spotted sleeping high above the ground in fig trees. Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world.It has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects around the globe.

The magazine is celebrating its 125th anniversary

The magazine is celebrating its 125th anniversary

Having started out as a scholarly journal in the 19th Century, the magazine has evolved into a publication that shines a spotlight on distant corners of the globe for millions of readers, with its combination of breathtaking photography and on-the-ground reporting.

Steve McCurry's photograph of young Afghan refugee Sharbat Gula is perhaps the image most associated with National Geographic.

Sharbat, whose piercing green eyes captured the attention of the globe when her solemn face appeared on the cover of the magazine in 1985, was around 12-years-old and living in Pakistan when the picture was taken during Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

For years she was known simply as 'the Afghan Girl', until the photograph's striking subject was formally identified in 2002.

A look back through the National Geographic photo archives offers a glimpse into landmark moments in the history of countries around the world.

One 1963 image features two members of the first U.S. team to reach the summit of Mount Everest trudging through the dazzling white snow as they make their ascent.

The American expedition was sponsored in part by the National Geographic Society, and pioneered a new route to the summit of one of the world's most daunting peaks.

But it is not always humans that feature in the journal's most spectacular photographs.

In many of National Geographic's stunning pictures, it is animals, not people, that take centre stage.

Photographer Paul Nicklen managed to capture a rare 'spirit bear' enjoying a feast of salmon in the rainforest in British Columbia in 2010.

Also known as the Kermode bear, the elusive creature is a variant of the North American Black Bear that is born with white fur.

Another picture reveals an enormous lion, lit up in the African dusk, stares down the lens of the camera as it prepares to bed down for a sleep amid the branches of a fig tree in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

One heart-warming photograph, which captures a fleeting moment of contact between Jane Goodall and a baby chimpanzee, reveals the bond that can exist between animals and humans.

Photographer Hugo Van Lawick snapped the photograph as the chimp, which was named Flint, reached out to Jane at Gombe Stream National Park in western Tanzania.

Now 78, British primatologist Jane famously spent 45 years studying the interactions of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania.

Spectacular setting: Members of the first American team to reach the summit of Mount Everest are seen making their ascent through the snow in 1963

Spectacular setting: Members of the first American team to reach the summit of Nepal's Mount Everest are seen making their ascent through the snow in 1963

Rare creature: The spirit bear - or Kermode bear - is a variant of the North American black bear that has white fur

Rare creature: The spirit bear - or Kermode bear - is a variant of the North American black bear that has white fur, like this creature photographed feasting on salmon in the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia in 2010

Landmark: In this iconic 1938 image, three figures astride camels behold the majesty of the Great Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Landmark: In this iconic 1938 image, three figures astride camels behold the majesty of the Great Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza, Egypt

 

Men gathered in a bazaar in Herat, Afghanistan, in 1931   Steve McCurry's iconic image of the 'Afghan Girl'  

 

 

Frozen in history: This shot of Afghan men gathered at a bazaar in Herat in 1931, left, was photo-journalist Maynard Owen-Williams' favourite image, while the piercing eyes of refugee Sharbat Gula, right, for years known only as the 'Afghan Girl', captured the attention of the world when they featured on the cover of the magazine in 1985

Visible bond: Primatologist Jane Goodall and tiny chimpanzee Flint share a touching moment at Gombe Stream Reserve in Tanzania, East Africa. The fleeting scene was captured on camera in 1964

Visible bond: Primatologist Jane Goodall and tiny chimpanzee Flint share a touching moment at Gombe Stream Reserve in Tanzania, East Africa. The fleeting scene was captured on camera in 1964

The ice maiden: The 500-year-old mummy of a young Inca girl was unearthed on Mount Ampato in Peru in 1995 by archaeologist and National Geographic explorer-in-residence Johan Reinhard

The ice maiden: The 500-year-old mummy of a young Inca girl was unearthed on Mount Ampato in Peru in 1995 by archaeologist and National Geographic explorer-in-residence Johan Reinhard

 

Take-off: The National Geographic-Army Air Corps balloon, Explorer II, prepares to take to the skies over South Dakota, U.S., in 1935   A colossal stone head discovered in Tabasco, Mexico, in 1938  

More than a century of exploration: The National Geographic-Army Air Corps balloon, Explorer II, prepares to take to the skies over South Dakota, U.S., in 1935, left, while the image on the right shows one of 11 colossal stone heads discovered in Mexico in 1938 during an expedition led by archaeologist Matthew Stirling

This past year has been rich in memorable images, the best among them capturing the essence of the human experience and nature at its most powerful.

Like every year, National Geographic Magazine has compiled the most evocative images of 2012 into one impressive gallery which showcases traditions of indigenous peoples from around the world, the underwater life of marine mammals and natural phenomena. 

One photo taken in a remote Russian community shows a father, Aidyng Kyrgys, caressing his newborn baby girl, whom he lovingly refers to as 'my little goat' in the ancient but dying Tuvan language which only has 223,000 speakers.

Another image, taken closer to home on a Native American reservation, shows a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe squeezed into the back of a car for the journey home along with used clothing donated by an Indian charity that seek to help those in need in the community.

On the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota, a photographer captured a shaman performing an ancient ritual involving a long-nosed white mask as he burns sage for purification.  

Among the images in the Best of 2012 – National Geographic Magazine Photos of the Year slideshow is an awe-inspiring photo taken in California's Sierra Nevada depicting a majestic, snow-covered 3,200-year-old sequoia called the President which measures 247 feet in height and has the widest crown in the forest.

Photographer Paul Nicklen was lucky to snap a picture of Emperor penguins just a tenth of a second before they got spooked and took off, leaving only bubbles in their wake.

Awe-inspiring: A dying tornado like this one depicted in July is said to be in the 'roping out' phase

Awe-inspiring: A dying tornado like this one depicted in July is said to be in the 'roping out' phase

Majestic: Cloaked in the snows of California's Sierra Nevada, the 3,200-year-old giant sequoia called the President rises 247 feet

Majestic: Cloaked in the snows of California's Sierra Nevada, the 3,200-year-old giant sequoia called the President rises 247 feet

Swift: A school of Emperor penguins swimming away in a flurry of bubbles after being spooked by a photographer

Swift: A school of Emperor penguins swimming away in a flurry of bubbles after being spooked by a photographer

Dying language: Aidyng Kyrgys caresses his newborn baby girl, whom he refers to using a Tuvan term of endearment: anayim, or 'my little goat'

Dying language: Aidyng Kyrgys caresses his newborn baby girl, whom he refers to using a Tuvan term of endearment: anayim, or 'my little goat'

Ancient ritual: Stanley Good Voice Elk, a heyoka on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, burns sage to ritually purify his surroundings while using a mask to channel the power of a spirit

Ancient ritual: Stanley Good Voice Elk, a heyoka on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, burns sage to ritually purify his surroundings while using a mask to channel the power of a spirit

National Geographic announced their 2011 global-wide photography contest awarding not only a warm financial prize to its three winners but world-wide publication in their magazine.

The winners were taken from digital submissions on three categories of people, places and nature while judged by three National Geographic photographers.

The judges gave equal weight to both creativity and photographic quality when the deciding the winners, including the grand prize, first place winner to a photo of a dragonfly.

Winner: Splashing, the grand prize winning photo as well as Nature category winner, was taken in the city of Batam in Indonesia's Riau Islands

Winner: Splashing, the grand prize winning photo as well as Nature category winner, was taken in the city of Batam in Indonesia's Riau Islands

The water flinging dragonfly photo titled Splashing, was captured by Shikhei Goh, a photographer in Indonesia's Riau Islands while they were both caught in a sudden downpour.

It was described as a 'very striking macrophotography image that rose to the top of the nature category for me because of its originality, beautiful light, rare action in a close-up image, as well as its technical perfection,' according to judge Tim Laman to the National Geographic.

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According to judge Peter Essick, he said that the photograph gave the insect 'character us humans can relate to.'

'It's rare indeed to see a photograph that causes the viewer to feel a bond with a member of the animal world seemingly,' Mr Essick told the magazine, 'but maybe not, so unlike our own.'

Glowing: Blue Pond & First Snow, by Kent Shiraishi, captured a famous tourist resort in Japan for the nature category's honorable mention as the hot spring ripples below white-frosted trees

Glowing: Blue Pond & First Snow, by Kent Shiraishi, captured a famous tourist resort in Japan for the nature category's honorable mention as the hot spring ripples below white-frosted trees

Floating: The Sunrising Jellyfish, by Angel Fitor, received honorable mention in nature as it's caught just beneath the water's surface in Murcia province, Spain

Floating: The Sunrising Jellyfish, by Angel Fitor, received honorable mention in nature as it's caught just beneath the water's surface in Murcia province, Spain

Running: Photo, Panic in the Pan, by Marius Coetzee was taken during a safari in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park at a watering hole

Running: Photo, Panic in the Pan, by Marius Coetzee was taken during a safari in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park at a watering hole

Chase: Photo, The Hunt, by Stefano Pesarelli received honorable mention for its natural use of panning and balance in its capture of a scene at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

Chase: Photo, The Hunt, by Stefano Pesarelli received honorable mention for its natural use of panning and balance in its capture of a scene at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

In the places category, a photo titled Into the Green Zone won for its capture of a rainbow bending over a smooth ocean at the Philippines' Onuk Island.

According to Mr Laman, the photographer George Tapan 'showed a perfect sense of timing and composition in the way he captured the two small human subjects in this beautiful scene, and that really made the shot.'

Mr Essick noted his captivation of the woman's hair over her shoulder as it, 'fills a fraction of the picture's real estate, but by capturing the movement at the apex, the photographer has documented a sense of style and flair.

'Small things can sometimes make a big difference,' he finished.

Winner: Into the Green Zone, by George Tapan, captured a rainbow after the rain at the Palawan Islands in the Philippines, winning the category of Places

Winner: Into the Green Zone, by George Tapan, captured a rainbow after the rain at the Palawan Islands in the Philippines, winning the category of Places

Jumping: Photo, Sulfuric Fire Festival, by Hung-Hsiu Shih received honorable mention for its capture of fire fishing in Taipei

Jumping: Photo, Sulfuric Fire Festival, by Hung-Hsiu Shih received honorable mention for its capture of fire fishing in Taipei

Flying: Flying Kites, by Felipe Carvalho, received honorable mention for its capture of a kite battle at the Santa Marta ghetto in Rio de Janeiro which for many years were used to alert drug dealers of approaching enemies

Flying: Flying Kites, by Felipe Carvalho, received honorable mention for its capture of a kite battle at the Santa Marta ghetto in Rio de Janeiro which for many years were used to alert drug dealers of approaching enemies

Falling: Anuar Patjane's Cyber Monsoon received honorable mention for its capture of a torrential monsoon rain in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Falling: Anuar Patjane's Cyber Monsoon received honorable mention for its capture of a torrential monsoon rain in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Soaring: Waterway to Orbit, by James Vernacotola, displays the Space shuttle Endeavour flying into orbit over the Intracoastal Waterway in Ponte Vedra, Florida

Soaring: Waterway to Orbit, by James Vernacotola, displays the Space shuttle Endeavour flying into orbit over the Intracoastal Waterway in Ponte Vedra, Florida

For the category of People, a photo titled The Fjellman Family by Izabelle Nordfjell captures a Swedish reindeer hunter seeking food for his family using a rifle.

According to judge Amy Toensing, the photo captured a quick moment 'real and mysterious at the same time.'

'In the Sami culture,' Mr Essick added, referring to the hunter, 'these events are repeated many times every year, even though they are never quite the same. However, by using a careful composition and skillful timing, the photographer made this one encounter with a Sami hunter memorable.'

Winner: People category winner titled The Fjellman Family, by Izabelle Nordfjell, describes in one shot, literally and physically, one method of feeding a family in northern Sweden before a long winter

Winner: People category winner titled The Fjellman Family, by Izabelle Nordfjell, describes in one shot, literally and physically, one method of feeding a family in northern Sweden before a long winter

This weekend, the 180th Oktoberfest opened in Munich, Germany, with the traditional tapping of the first keg of beer by Munich's mayor, Christian Ude, shouting "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!"). The Bavarian festival takes place in Munich's Theresienwiese over 16 days, and more than 6 million people are expected to attend.

A waitress carries beer mugs through a crowd on the opening day of the Oktoberfest at the Hofbräu Tent in Munich, Germany, on September 21, 2013. Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

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Munich Mayor Christian Ude taps the first barrel of beer during the opening ceremony of the 180th Oktoberfest in Munich, on September 21, 2013. (Reuters/Michaela Rehle) #

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Julius Danek from Munich jumps as he runs inside the Schottenhamel tent to get a seat on the opening day of Oktoberfest, on September 21, 2013. (Reuters/Michaela Rehle) #

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Thousands of people await the start of the opening ceremony of the 180th Oktoberfest, on September 21, 2013.(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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Revellers reach for the first beer mug at the Hofbräu Tent during day 1 of Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese, on September 21, 2013.(Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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A waiter carries Bavarian food at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival in the Schottenhamel-tent at Theresienwiese, on September 21, 2013. (Joerg Koch/Getty Images) #

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Visitors raise their glasses after getting their first Oktoberfest beer in the Schottenhamel-tent at Theresienwiese, on September 21, 2013. (Joerg Koch/Getty Images) #

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A woman enjoys the first beer on the opening day of Oktoberfest in the Hofbräu Tent, on September 21, 2013.(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) #

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Visitors enjoy amusement rides in front of the famous backdrop of Munich Frauenkirche at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival.(Joerg Koch/Getty Images) #

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Visitors walk through fairgrounds at sunset, during Oktoberfest 2013 in Munich, Germany. (Joerg Koch/Getty Images) #

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People enjoy an amusement park ride during day 1 of Oktoberfest 2013. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) #

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A long exposure photo shows a ride spinning at the Oktoberfest festival fairgrounds in Munich, on September 21, 2013.(Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images) #

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The top of the Loewenbräu beer tent, during Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese on September 21, 2013.(Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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Revellers dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing attend Oktoberfest on September 21, 2013.(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) #

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People enjoy a fairground ride during day 1 of the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) #

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A waitress serves beer during the opening of Oktoberfest in Munich, on September 21, 2013.(Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images) #

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People visit a festival tent during the Oktoberfest beer festival, on September 21, 2013. (Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images) #

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A waitress carries chicken dishes during the opening ceremony in the Hofbräuzelt beer tent, on September 21, 2013.(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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Women celebrate the opening ceremony of Oktoberfest in the Hofbräuzelt beer tent, on September 21, 2013.(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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A visitor rests in a meadow during the Oktoberfest beer festival at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds in Munich, on September 21, 2013. (Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images) #

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Young women in traditional Bavarian Dirndl dresses enjoy a fairground ride at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds in Munich, on September 21, 2013. (Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images) #

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Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at Oktoberfest 2013, on September 22, 2013.(Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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Revellers stand next to a broken beer mug during day 1 of Oktoberfest, on September 21, 2013.(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) #

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Visitors have a rest during day 1 of Oktoberfest 2013, on September 21, 2013 in Munich, Germany.(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) #

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A child takes pictures during day 1 of Oktoberfest 2013. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) #

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A boy in traditional Bavarian Lederhosen (leather trousers) eats cotton candy at the Oktoberfest beer festival, on September 21, 2013. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/AFP/Getty Images) #

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A young man raises a beer mug at the Hofbräuhaus beer tent during day 1 of Oktoberfest 2013, on September 21, 2013.(Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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Visitors rest in a meadow on the opening day of the 180th Oktoberfest, on September 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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People ride a swing in front of the St. Paul's church during Oktoberfest 2013, on September 21, 2013.(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes enjoy drinking beer in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival, on September 22, 2013. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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A visitor wearing a mock Bavarian outfit leans against a wall during Oktoberfest 2013, on September 22, 2013.(Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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Young people celebrate the opening ceremony of Oktoberfest in the Hofbräuzelt beer tent, on September 21, 2013.(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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Visitors enjoy the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 21, 2013 in Munich, Germany.(Joerg Koch/Getty Images) 


Oktoberfest Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest Munich, Germany

On Saturday, the 179th Oktoberfest opened in Munich, Germany, with the traditional tapping of the first keg of beer by Munich's mayor, Christian Ude, as he shouted, "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!"). The Bavarian festival is open until October 7, and 6 million people are expected to attend. Last year, visitors drank nearly 8 million one-liter mugs of beer. Attendance is free, but the beer will cost you: This year, the price of a mug at any of the 14 tents comes to €9.50 ($12.30 U.S.). Gathered here are some scenes from Oktoberfest 2012's first few days.

A waitress carries beer steins in the Hofbrau tent, during the Oktoberfest beer festival at the Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany, on September 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Lukas Barth)

These dachshunds might not be big on beer but dressed as hot dogs they were part of the festivities to kick off Oktoberfest, the world’s biggest beer-drinking festival.

While they were far from the epicentre of the German folk festival in Munich, the little-legged dogs brought new meaning to fast food in the sixth annual ‘running of the wieners’ dog race in Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday.

Back at the Bavarian beer capital, the mayor of Munich tapped the first keg of beer to officially open the 179th festival which is expected to attract more than six million people to 35 beer tents in the city.

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Dog derby: These little-legged hot dogs are racing to win the 'running of the wieners' race in Cincinnati, Ohio celebrating the beginning of Oktoberfest

Dog derby: These little-legged hot dogs are racing to win the 'running of the wieners' race in Cincinnati, Ohio celebrating the beginning of Oktoberfest

With only two blows of his hammer and a cry of ‘O'zapft is’ – ‘it's tapped’ - Mayor Christian Ude cracked open the first keg as the festival opened today as the rain started to fall.

Thirsty visitors drunk almost eight million two-pint mugs of beer last year in Munich and with thousands already in town for the 16-day extravaganza, plenty of beer kegs are bound to be drunk dry.

Fast food: The dashunds ran about 75 feet in the race at America's largest celebration of the German festival

Fast food: The dashunds ran about 75 feet in the race at America's largest celebration of the German festival

Weiner race
Weiner race

These pet owners dressed up their dogs in hot dog costumes for the race in Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday

Kiss for goodluck: Laurie De Wine holds her two Dachshunds Gerdie and Greta as they wait at the starting line for the hot dog race

Kiss for goodluck: Laurie De Wine holds her two Dachshunds Gerdie and Greta as they wait at the starting line for the hot dog race

VIDEO: Watch the hilarious dachshund race in Cincinnati!

A mug of beer will sell at up to 9.50 euro (£7.60) this year.

Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel got involved on the opening day, drinking a mug of beer during the opening of the Oktoberfest in Berlin.

In Cincinnati, the Oktoberfest–Zinzinnati is America’s largest celebration of the German tradition, attended by more than 500,000 every year.

Traditional games: Hanna Marie Harten takes part in a beer stein race as part of the festivities at Oktoberfest¿Zinzinnati

Traditional games: Hanna Marie Harten takes part in a beer stein race as part of the festivities at Oktoberfest¿Zinzinnati

Barrelling along: These men tried their luck at the beer barrelling race in Cincinnati

Barrelling along: These men tried their luck at the beer barrelling race in Cincinnati

Traditional games including beer stein races and the beer barrel roll get the community involved in the German celebration overseas.

The winner of the beer stein race is determined by not only the best time but by the amount of beer left in the steins at the finish line.

This year a mug, called a Mass in German, sells at up to 9.50 euro (£7.60).

First keg of beer: Plenty of beer-drinking visitors turned out for the opening of the festivities as Munich's mayor tapped the first keg of beer for the 179th Oktoberfest in Munich

First keg of beer: Plenty of beer-drinking visitors turned out for the opening of the festivities as Munich's mayor tapped the first keg of beer for the 179th Oktoberfest in Munich

16-day extravaganza: The festival is expected to attract more than six million people to 35 beer tents in Munich

16-day extravaganza: The festival is expected to attract more than six million people to 35 beer tents in Munich

Wet start: These two women tried to shield themselves and their traditional German costumes as the rain fell in Munich at the opening of the Bavarian festival

Wet start: These two women tried to shield themselves and their traditional German costumes as the rain fell in Munich at the opening of the Bavarian festival

German authorities will keep security tight around the fairgrounds which accommodate hundreds of thousands of people at a time, although, they say no concrete threat exists.

The men’s traditional Oktoberfest costume, lederhosen (leather shorts) are considered the best attire for sessions of serious beer-drinking because they stretch to accommodate an expanding beer belly.

The festival, which was originally held in October to celebrate a royal wedding, and has been an important part of Bavarian culture since 1810.

Beer in Berlin: Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel got involved, drinking a mug of beer in Berlin for the opening there

Beer in Berlin: Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel got involved, drinking a mug of beer in Berlin for the opening there

Click here to find out more!

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Members of a brass band wearing traditional Bavarian clothes participate in the riflemen's parade on September 22, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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A brass band plays in the Theresienwiese in Munich during Oktoberfest, on September 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Joerg Koch) #

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Oktoberfest visitors crowd the entrance to the Schottenhamel Beer Tent in Munich, on September 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Joerg Koch) #

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In the Schottenhamel tent at the Theresienwiese in Munich, Munich's mayor, Christian Ude taps the first keg, opening Oktoberfest 2012 with the traditional cry of "O'zapft is." (AP Photo/Joerg Koch) #

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Revelers celebrate during the opening of the 179th Oktoberfest in Munich, on September 22, 2012. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world are expected to come to the Bavarian capital over the next two weeks. (Reuters/Michael Dalder) #

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Festival-goers reach out for the first beer in the traditional one-liter "Masskrug" beer mugs on the opening day of Oktoberfest at the Theresienwiese in Munich, on September 22, 2012. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach) #

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Young men and women toast after getting their first beer on the opening day of Oktoberfest in Munich, on September 22, 2012. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach) #

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A waitress carries beer steins in the Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest tent, on Saturday, September 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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Revelers celebrate Oktoberfest in a beer tent in Munich, on September 22, 2012. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach) #

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A woman from Lower Bavaria, dressed with traditional ceremonial Bavarian costume enjoys a beer after participating in the opening parade during day 2 of Oktoberfest 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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Visitors crowd the Oktoberfest beer festival, seen from Bavaria hill, on September 22, 2012. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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Festival-goers on a carnival ride at the 179th Oktoberfest in Munich, on September 23, 2012. (Reuters/Michael Dalder) #

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Oktoberfest visitors have a rest, on Sunday, September 23, 2012 in Munich. (AP Photo/Maja Hitij) #

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Revelers, dressed in traditional Bavarian clothes, celebrate in the Schottenhamel beer tent during day 2 of Oktoberfest 2012, in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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Traditionally dressed Bavarian men raise their steins and enjoy a sunny day of the famous Bavarian Oktoberfest, on September 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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A man prepares Gingerbread hearts at the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, on September 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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Oktoberfest visitors on a carnival ride during Oktoberfest 2012, on September 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Joerg Koch) #

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Revelers have a break from drinking during Oktoberfest, on September 22, 2012. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach) #

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An overview from the St Peter church tower shows the festival area of Oktoberfest at the Theresienwiese in Munich, on September 22, 2012. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach) #

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People are attracted by a luminous carnival ride in the evening of day 1 of Oktoberfest, on September 22, 2012. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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A young woman sells pretzels in the Augustiner beer tent at the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, on September 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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A waitress carries grilled chicken in a beer tent during the opening day of the Oktoberfest 2012 beer festival, on September 22, 2012. (Alexandra Beier/Getty Images) #

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A festival-goer lies in the grass during Oktoberfest 2012, on September 22, 2012. (Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images) #

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A boy stands in traditional costume at the Theresienwiese, during Oktoberfest 2012, on September 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Joerg Koch) #

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Polish girls, dressed in traditional Polish costumes enjoy a beer after participating in the opening parade of the Oktoberfest beer festival, on September 22, 2012. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

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A visitor wears a hat decorated with hops during the opening day of Oktoberfest 2012, on September 22, 2012. (Alexandra Beier/Getty Images) #

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The giant ferris wheel is reflected in the glasses of a young woman during day 2 of Oktoberfest 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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Visitors to the 179th Oktoberfest take a rest on September 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Maja Hitij) #

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Visitors raise an Oktoberfest toast on September 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Lukas Barth) #

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Revelers gather in a beer tent during the 179th Oktoberfest, on September 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Maja Hitij) #

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A waitress carries beer mugs during day 1 of the Oktoberfest beer festival in the Hofbrauhaus beer tent on September 22, 2012. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images) #

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A man stands with an empty beer mug in a tent during Oktoberfest 2012 in Munich, Germany, on September 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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A full Masskrug is lifted above the Oktoberfest crowd in the Hofbrauhaus beer tent, on September 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Lukas Barth)

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