This fall, the Duke University Union's presentation of Oktoberfest will be closer to the real thing.
The Union has revamped its plans for the Duke version of the famous annual German festival in an effort to make Oktoberfest, scheduled for Oct. 17, more fun for students and other Duke community members. Changes include those designed to make the occasion more popular and closer to its European forebearer.
One change likely to popularize the festival and to make it more authentic will be the sale of beer by University vendors from 5 to 7 p.m. While Oktoberfest has not had beer available for several years, last spring, the was able to obtain permission from the University to sell beer at Springternational. After that celebration went smoothly, Union Special Events Committee Chair Monique Bruinsma said, Director of Dining Service Jim Wulforst had no problem granting the request, which should make Duke's imitation of the beer-centered Bavarian celebration feel a little more authentic.
"When I took over last year, I said 'I won't do Oktoberfest without alcohol,'" Bruinsma said.
Bruinsma is also striving to add more ethnically German food, although she acknowledged that it has been difficult.
"[Having more German food] is the hope," Bruinsma said. "We are in North Carolina, though; there's not a lot of German people."
Other changes include a new location and time in hopes of more participation from students. Oktoberfest had begun in years past at 10 a.m. and continued until 5 p.m. This year, however, the festivities will last eight hours, beginning at noon.
"It's really just a better time for a festival," Bruinsma said. "Ten a.m. is a ridiculous time, especially when dealing with students." The change in the location of the cultural celebration is small, but significant. Previously situated on the Chapel Quad immediately adjacent to the bus stop, Oktoberfest's food and crafts vendors will now be assembled on the less congested Residential Quad. Oktoberfest's inflatable games will likely remain on the Chapel Quad.
Although the festival actually began as a crafts and food fair, Bruinsma plans to focus Oktoberfest more upon entertainment than in years past, including student and non-student bands.
Bruinsma said her revamping of Oktoberfest has not been popular among some administrators.
"Everybody likes tradition," Bruinsma said. "It's there, and it works."
The overhaul of Oktoberfest should serve to both break up the sameness of Duke Oktoberfests and to bring the festival back to its German roots, organizers said.
"We're just trying to make positive changes," Bigelow said. "We want to tweak the event to make it more cohesive."
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