Wednesday, Oct. 18, Poke’s Pub & Gameroom hosted an Oktoberfest event for University of Wyoming staff, students and community members. The event, which ran from 3 p.m., when the pub opened, until 8 p.m. and showcased decoration, soft pretzels, and party garb themed around the event.
Oktoberfest is a traditional German event held in late September and early October that features classic German cuisine and drink. The festival originated as a celebration of a royal marriage and now hosts over 6 million people who come to the event in Munich, Germany, each year.
About 2 million gallons of beer are consumed annually at the Munich event, according to Brittanica, though numerous cities across the globe host their own Oktoberfests, which no doubt increase that total beer consumption drastically.
Oktoberfest in Laramie was less festivus, however.
One of the bartenders working the event estimated that only between 50 and 70 people had attended at the time of the interview, around 6:30 p.m.
The poster for the event boasted beer, mocktails, pretzels, all for purchase, and all of which are already sold at the pub. The advertisement for the event also promoted giveaways, but when Branding Iron staff showed up at around 5, and then again around 6:30, there were no such giveaways to be found.
The decorations were limited, and while there were themed headbands and necklaces available for attendees, the overall vibe was rather lackluster.
