In the mood for polka music, feasting on German specialties or just need an excuse to wear a dirndl? If the answer is yes then come to Cal Poly’s Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest will feature traditional German beverages, food, dancing, games, music and of course, yodeling.
“Cal Poly isn’t really known for its cultural diversity. I think it is important to express all different cultures at a university setting.” political science senior and German minor Kiersten Anderson said. “It is another way to educate and enlighten people about how other people celebrate all over the world.”
Although November isn’t the typical time for an Oktoberfest celebration, German lecturer Dr. Corinna Kahnke from the Modern Languages and Literatures Department said she needed a little extra time for planning.
“No one else will have an Oktoberfest in November so for this year we decided to leave it (in November) because it puts a nice little extra spin on the event,” she said.
Although Kahnke is the event’s chief organizer, the students from her German classes have also been hard at work planning and preparing. They decided which German foods should be served and what games will be played as well as making posters, decorating and cleaning up.
Last year, Anderson helped with some of the planning. “I studied abroad in Germany for a year so I was kind of familiar with the whole Oktoberfest shenanigans and theme so we tried to bring it to Cal Poly.”
“When my students and I prepare for Oktoberfest, we look at the whole history of it and the original Munich Oktoberfest.
It actually started in the 1700’s as a wedding party for the prince at that time; he got married and they threw a big party,” Kahnke said. “It was such a great success that they continued doing it.”
Heavy beer drinking is one of the first traditions that come to mind when thinking of Oktoberfest. Cal Poly’s Oktoberfest will not be without; however, it will be non-alcoholic beer. “You can’t have an Oktoberfest without at least something resembling the traditional German drink,” Kahnke said. Apfelsaftschorle, similar to apple cider is another German drink that will be served, Kahnke said.
Students will prepare Wurstchen, which are sausages, and sauerkraut along with pickled red beats and pasta salads.
?Germans take their potato salad seriously. “You may or may not know there is potato salad divide in Germany,” Kahnke said. “There is the northern version versus the southern version. And the southern version is made with vinegar and is usually warm with bacon and the northern version is the one with mayonnaise and sour cream.”
Despite its name, German chocolate cake is not a traditional German dessert. “But it might make an appearance, nonetheless,” Kahnke said.
However, Oktoberfest will be more than just eating and drinking.Participants will experience authentic German entertainment, including Strong Man, an estimation of pretzels in a glass, and Wurstschnappen, which involves tying a person’s hands behind his or her back and having them try to catch a sausage in their mouth, Kahnke said.
The evening would not be complete without the traditional sounds of polka. “Each year, there is an Oktoberfest song chosen; it is one that really invites you to stomp on your beer benches and sing along,” Kahnke said. “We will provide that kind of music.”
The Modern Languages and Literatures department will be hosting the event on Nov. 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Faculty Offices North building in room 24B.
The event is free and open to Modern Languages and Literature majors, faculty and staff, as well as anyone who wants to know more about the German program.