This year’s bonfire was one to remember. It was a cold, muggy evening with a super moon lunar eclipse covered by dense clouds, which was the perfect setting for Dr. Jordan’s annual bonfire to kick off the week of Oktoberfest. The wet weather forced students inside of Jarman Auditorium where technicians projected a roaring fire onto the screen. Even though the event was held inside, the cozy outdoor feeling of a typical bonfire wasn’t lost to the attendees.
Dr. Jordan was “surprised at the amount of students that came.” because a few years ago, the weather also prevented the storytelling from its usual outdoor venue (Iler Field) and attendance was very low. That previous year it was moved into the ballroom of Lankford Student Union. However, this year’s turn out was great regardless of the last minute change of plans.
Dr. Jordan took the liberty of sharing the history of Oktoberfest, going all the way back to the May Day celebration, which was a tradition started in 1880. On this day each year one lucky woman would be crowned as “queen.” Following the crowning, there would then be a parade, after which the crowds would move down Farmville’s Main Street.
In 1927, the May Day event was replaced by a circus that kicked off the beginning of the school year. There were all kinds of events and grand prizes of 25 cents for the competing organizations that would enter particular events. However, when the Great Depression hit, the circus was canceled.
However, in 1931, Dr. Jarman (president of Longwood University at the time) felt that the circus was so important to Longwood’s community that he agreed to find a way to pay for the event. Jarman Auditorium was named on his behalf and a seat is always saved for him in the balcony.
In 1965, Mortar Board brought early celebration back with Oktoberfest. Traditions would then surface throughout the years with such events as Color Wars, the annual bonfire, concerts and many more.
The night was packed with a large amount of information and history about our school, and students seemed to really enjoy the learning experience that Dr. Jordan presented.
Freshman, Dontae Brown, said, “It was a different experience compared to what I had heard about Dr. Jordan’s Bonfire, but it was still an interesting historical lecture on the history of one of Longwood’s most beloved traditions.”
This year’s Oktoberfest has plenty of festivities to entertain students. Kicking off the week with our spirit days throughout the week as well as Color Wars on Friday. Students can also look forward to the Alzheimer’s Walk, Battle of the Bands and the parade.
Make sure to come out and support all of our clubs and organizations this coming weekend! Enjoy all that Oktoberfest has to offer: the fun, the festivities and the history.
