Oktoberfest Celebration Draws 35,000 to Square

Most Harvard students don't look forward to rainy, cold Sundays in October. This Sunday was different. The twentieth annual Oktoberfest descended on Harvard Square, bringing with it arts and crafts vendors, street musicians, food, beer and rides.

"It's cool. It's Sunday, and there's actually something to do," said Eddie A. Bruce '02. "It kind of surprised me. I didn't know it was happening. I just walked out of the yard and saw a big inflatable thing in the middle of the street."

Harvard and Brattle Squares were both closed off for Oktoberfest, which ran from 12 to 6 p.m.

The festival, of German origin, offered events and entertainment for all ages. Teenagers and adults flocked to the arts and crafts stands, while children enjoyed the Moonwalk, the Alligator Slide and puppet shows.

Food ranged from oxtails, curried goat, and pumpkin butternut squash soup to the more traditional bratwurst and strudel. Pizza and sausage vendors were also on hand to appease more American tastes.

The choice of music was equally broad. The Jolly Kopperschmidts, a German band, played polka in front of Holyoke Center, while a string of rock bands, including Jude, Block, Jim's Big Ego and Bellevue Cadillac, drew a crowd to Brattle Square.

The fair attracted a diverse crowd of students, local residents, and tourists.

"It's very exciting. I love the music," said Cambridge resident Virginia M. Hyvarinen. "I come rain or shine. First I listen to the music, then I find the food."

But the foul weather did prompt many to stay at home. Event coordinators anticipated crowds of 60,000, but only 33,000 to 35,000 people actually attended.

Cynthia A. Miller, associate executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, co-produced the event and said she was pleased with the overall attendance.

"We were very happy with the turnout. Of course the rain kept away some people. A lot of parents didn't want to bring young kids out, and rightly so," she said.

Those children who did attend headed straight for the rides. Six-year-old Miles P. Ochs was visiting from Cape Cod with his family when they stumbled onto the fair. He was quick to cite "Jumping down the big slide" as his favorite activity.

The rain also dampened the spirits of many vendors, who made fewer sales than in past years. Sunday was the ninth Oktoberfest for Pantiva Batson, of Pan Thai clothing, who noticed a definite change.

"There aren't as many people as in past years. It gets a little boring," she said.

Some vendors chose not to participate at all because of the weather.

Others just enjoyed the day's events. Shawn Khan operated perhaps the least popular stand for a rainy, cold day - a Baskin Robbins ice cream cart - yet still managed to have fun.

"Nobody comes looking for ice cream. It's too cold and rainy. It was busier last year, but it's still a lot of fun. Everyone likes it," he said.

Many Harvard Square restaurants, such as Delhi Darbar, Sardine's Bistro, and Passim's Kitchen set up outside stands to cater to hungry revelers.

"My goal is to make everyone happy with my sausages," said Justin E. Frazer, a chef at Sardine's Bistro.

Not all Harvard Square vendors fared equally well. While food and craft sellers saw especially high sales, Oktoberfest was just another Sunday for many retail stores.

"There was a lot of [foot] traffic, but not a lot of sales. We actually did better yesterday," said Victoria L. Kalman, of the Mass. Army and Navy store.

Despite the unlucky streak of bad weather, all those who attended Oktoberfest enjoyed a day full of food, fun, and entertainment, and Miller said she counts it as a success.

Perhaps in preparation for next year event coordinators should purchase "lucky turtles," which were selling for $3 each, two for $5. But do they actually work?

"I don't know. I don't make them," said Jason Cai, 12, stand proprietor.