By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Beginning Friday, three of Hays’ most beloved annual traditions will combine into one busy Hays weekend.
“There are lots of events on campus for the students and the campus community,” said Carolyn Tatro, FHSU Alumni Association alumni engagement strategist. “But I would definitely say a lot of Homecoming, really, it gets started on Thursday.”
The Homecoming Golf Tournament will begin the day at 8:30 a.m. at Smoky Hill County Club, 3303 Hall. Lunch with FHSU Football Head Coach Chris Brown follows at noon.
The Tiger Bonfire is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the east lawn of the Robbins Center. Food trucks are planned to be available during the event.
On Friday, the Half-Century Luncheon, class reunions and the Alumni and Friends Banquet will bring FHSU alumni together.
“I think one of my favorite things about the Alumni Awards is that we're picking people that have done some really amazing things, some of them we've never heard about, but we're really impressed by them,” Tatro said. “We just don't talk about them a lot, and we're so impressed by their stories.”
As both academic institutions continue celebrating students and alumni, Hays’ annual celebration of history, heritage and homecoming — Oktoberfest — will present two full days of events.
This year’s Oktoberfest carries the special distinction of being the 50th anniversary.
“Not everybody is lucky enough to say that they've got any successful event that's been going 50 years,” Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Melissa Dixon said.
The festivities begin with the opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in Municipal Park at First and Main and the ceremonial tapping of the keg.
Until 7 p.m., attendees will have various activities and food options available that reflect the Volga German heritage, including a Stein Hoist, Deutsch Hops Contest and the OktoberFEAST Contest.
Music will also be featured throughout the day.
“Of course, we're gonna have the Joe Dolezal band doing polka,” Dixon said. “But we're also going to have some country bands so people can hang around and dance. Rice County Line will be there. And then also Jimmy D and the Fabulous Destinations.”
Area vendors and groups will also be a large part of the festivities.
“We do have a lot of student organizations that are gonna be down there doing fundraisers,” Dixon said. “And I like the fact that when Oktoberfest started, years and years and years ago, it was a big harvest celebration. All the villages came around all the church ladies made their goodies to raise money for their churches. And a lot of that is still in place.”
“Friday's vendors are reserved, their spots are reserved for nonprofits,” she continued. “So everything's really going to a good cause. You'll see some of your favorite civic organizations down there, and churches and student organizations raising funds. And then on the big picture, the Oktoberfest committee uses the funds raised Oktoberfest for scholarships for students who have Volga German backgrounds.”
Saturday’s family-friendly downtown events begin with the FHSU Homecoming Parade at 11 a.m., with an Oktoberfest Day 2 Welcome set for 11:45 a.m.
“Saturday, they really want to make it family-friendly,” Dixon said. “There are lots of games for kids that day. ... It really is for all ages.”
Then at noon, the “World’s Largest Bierock” will be presented.
"We kicked around different items that may create some interest or fun, like a brat eating contest," Tom Bird, Oktoberfest vendor committee chair, said in June. "But when I started researching bierocks and found that it was more specific to the Volga Germans, in particular, western Kansas ... I thought, well, that would be unique."
He said the unique Volga German food is closely tied to the region and will be a draw to area residents.
“I'm excited to see how it goes,” Dixon said. “It has its own tent. The tent is already ready and it's really big.”
A cornhole tournament is planned at noon, along with children’s events, including Jammin Randy, a German Freeze Game, Pumpkin Pass and a Pumpkin Rolling Contest.
Oktoberfest will close at 6 p.m., just as FHSU Tailgating ramps up in the East Lawn of Lewis field after starting at 5 p.m.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“Then at halftime is when we will find out who our new homecoming king and queen will be,” Tatro said. “So, definitely stick around for that.”
