Oktoberfest invaded by Ryerson’s drunken masses
By Jarrett Churchill
Mmmm…beer!
Last Friday night in Kitchener was like that Simpsons episode where Homer dreams he is magically transported to the land of chocolate. Except this time it was beer, and it wasn’t a dream, it was Oktoberfest.
Seven bus loads of disoriented Ryerson students hoped on their luxury piss-yellow caravans and rattled down the 401 to Canada’s Great Bavarian festival.
There was something about hitching a ride on that yellow school bus that brought out the loud, hormone-induced adolescent in everyone. Or maybe it was the beer. Singing out of tune, ensuring the overall disorientation of the entire bus, and waiting till the very last possible second the bellow out, “Stop the bus I’m about to blow!” followed. Not even out of Mississauga, Rye guys and gals decided it was time for their first pit-stop. In a rush, every member filed off the bus and exhaled a collective “Ahhhhhh!” Another two stops followed.
As we passed bus loads of other drunks, Rye’s contingent made certain it would not be outdone in the categories of screaming, belching, or mooning.
Just outside of Guelph, we hit a traffic jam and stopped beside a beer truck. Everyone was drooling, and in the spirit of geimuclekit drew up their plans for hijacking. Unfortunately, the driver left the highway and their plans were crushed.
Eventually our bus made it to Kitcehener’s Bingeman Park and a festive evening ensued.
After a frisking by slimy bouncers, we were given a cheesy plastic cup – I mean Oktoberfest “Stein” – and let into the fest hall.
On stage a traditional German oom-pah-pah band played as the crowd bellowed, “e-i-e-i-eiow, e-i-e-i-eiow, e-i-e-i-eiow”. A large crowd danced, screamed and clapped.
“It’s good, I love it, I come every year,” said Mark Gaetane, a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student on his way to the bar.
The bar was stocked up with Schnapps, Doorkaat, Bavarian Cream Ale, and Yagermeister. The beer nuts were hot and fresh but cost a mint. On the other side of the hall, German meals like Oktoberfest sausage with kraut were served and could be smelt throughout the hall.
“This is my third year here,” said fourth-year Marketing student Chris Szaki, as he munched on a sausage. “It comes at a great time, right after mid-terms. It’s a wonderful time to let lose for a while. The atmosphere is totally friendly as opposed to Toronto. (Kitchener) is a small town atmosphere with big city accessibility.”
On the dance floor, young and old danced together to the polka, the bird dance and the hokey pokey. One Rye guy even got to dance with Miss Oktoberfest.
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