Story by AIDAN HAMMOND Photos by PARKER NISBETH
Tiger Media Network
Every year, Hays celebrates Oktoberfest. For some people, it’s a reason to celebrate the end of Homecoming week. For others, it’s a celebration of the town’s history and those who helped make Hays what it is.
Vice President of the Volgan German Centennial Association Amanda Rupp has been attending Oktoberfest since she was a kid and started helping more and more over the years before taking on her current role.
“The event is about tradition and community pride,” Rupp said. “The crowd involvement is a point of personal pride.”
A prize winner for the pumpkin rolling contest 
One contestant rolling their pumpkin 
First release for the pumpkins 
This young girl is waiting to roll her pumpkin 
Free root beer floats were given out 
Young boys playing some cornhole with the cornhole tournament 
Two finalists for the cornhole tournament 
A group of musicians playing for Oktoberfest 
Worlds largest Beirock, Weighing 118 pounds 
The makers of the world’s largest Beirock 
Talking about the creation and process of the Beirock 
Jammin Randy Singing to the kids 
First cornhole match of the day 
Lots of people were dressing to have some Oktoberfest spirit 
This young boy almost reached the top to hit the bell 
Lots of people enjoyed the music and were dancing
Ken Windholz, a lecturer for FHSU’s Department of Psychology, remembers the first Oktoberfest taking place on Main Street.
“Due to the increasing interest in the event, it was moved to its current location near Frontier Park,” Windholz said.
He said he enjoys going to the event to see the friendly community and see what lies in store this year. For Windholz, the event has always been about celebrating the heritage of the town. He also feels it was a great decision when FHSU became more involved with the event.
“I remember when they had demonstrations on making sauerkraut, beer, and other things that were practiced by the Volga Germans,” he said. “As it became more involved with the university, we looked for events that would involve more university people and partnered it around homecoming, so it would become this huge community event.”
Event emcee Brenda Meder, who serves as executive director of the Hays Arts Council, said she was honored to announce the event and share the hard work the committee puts into the yearly event.
Meder also said she wants the event to be engaging to all those who attend.
“It means the same to me what it means to the Volga German heritage and those that are still here,” Meder said. “The community gets smaller all the time, but it’s about recognizing and remembering those who risked their lives to move here and settle down.”