Oktoberfest theme reigns at Homecoming

Students walking through a peppy, music-filled Superblock today may momentarily forget what time of year it is. Although leaves litter the ground and the air is crisp, the live bands and carnival rides set up by the high rises may lead students to believe it is actually spring. Spring Fling, that is. This weekend's Homecoming festivities -- named "Oktoberfest" after the traditional German celebration -- purposely attempt to emulate Spring Fling, according to Wharton junior Gil Beverly, who coordinated both last year's Fling and this year's Oktoberfest. "Homecoming had declined in the past couple of years in significance," he said. "We wanted to put great significance on what should be a big party weekend for any normal school." Students can listen to live local bands and a cappella groups, munch on funnel cake and go on three carnival rides from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m., Beverly said. For those who enjoy more interactive entertainment, there will also be sumo wrestling, jousting and a gyrotron, he said. School spirit-filled students can show their support for the Quakers at a pep rally emceed by acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum, according to College senior Rick Gresh, who also coordinated Oktoberfest through the Social Planning and Events Committee. All senior Penn football team players will be at the event, as well as the entire cheerleading team, which will perform a "special dance," Gresh said. "This is something to really get into -- school spirit is really important," he said. "We want to get Penn as riled up as they were last year when we played Princeton." In another attempt to stir up Quaker pride, the logo on the Oktoberfest T-shirts and mugs sold at the carnival is "a Quaker leading a Yale Bulldog on a leash," Beverly said. Those who purchase Oktoberfest mugs will receive free servings of root beer. Beverly said this is in sync with the German Oktoberfest, which traditionally "has something to do with beer." "Not that we have any connection with beer itself," he added. "At least, not officially." The festivities will continue tomorrow morning at a "Bulldog Road Kill" pre-game celebration on College Green, which Beverly described as "a large-scale tailgate party." Students, alumni, faculty and administrators will be able to enjoy more free food, music and games. President Judith Rodin and Provost Stanley Chodorow will also "be out there mingling," Beverly said. To conclude the Oktoberfest, a "Homecoming Jam" dance party featuring the New York band King X and professional disc jockeys will be held in Houston Hall from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m., said SPEC President and College senior Lissette Monge. The Jam, which is co-sponsored by the United Minorities Council, will bring in a "diverse perspective" to the festivities, she said. Monge added, though, that the dance is also "a general Oktoberfest party." Daily Pennsylvanian Staff Writer Betty Yuan contributed to this article.