Photo by Elena Mirus
Jen Hantz
Staff Writer
Students flocked to Fourth Street in downtown Steubenville to enjoy some Oktoberfest community and comradery on Friday Oct. 2, 6-11 p.m.
Freshman Sean Winkler said, “I really enjoy the atmosphere. I like the energy … It’s something new.”
Due to the Oktoberfest theme, warm lights were strung overhead and hay carpeted the street where people line-danced to country music.
Winkler said, “I’m really enjoying the music and the potential dancing.”
The Oktoberfest festivities picked up when a group of German dancers in traditional “trachten” attire stepped in front of the stage. Two men in green lederhosen pulled out whips and whipped the air to German folk music.
Soon the rest of the dancers partnered up for folk dancing. Women in purple dirndls circled around their partners, who slap danced in the middle.
After the professional performance, attendees were invited to partake in a slap dancing contest. Four students came up and one of the dancers stood in front to demonstrate. Laughter and cheering exploded from the crowd as they voted for their favorite contestant.
Spinning Jenny, a local band of three sisters and their father, came on stage to play classic 90s music.
“The Spinning Jenny is just killing it,” said junior Jonathan Henry.
The night continued on with dancing, food and pumpkin painting.
Students appreciated having something to do off campus.
“It’s really good that we have a chance to get back out here as a community and just all come together and have a good time even in the middle of a pandemic like this,” said Henry. “The (Austrian) slap dancing was pretty good.”
“It’s a good experience to go out and do something off campus that’s not … school sponsored,” Winkler said. “(It’s) something that’s safe and fun.”