German American Klub of Indianapolis Hosts Its Second Oktoberfest at Garfield Park

By Tatiana Montavon
Garfield Park hosted its second annual Oktoberfest with the German American Klub of
Indianapolis last night.
Held at the Sunken Gardens, hundreds of people came to participate in the German cultural
event, including first-time Oktoberfest participant Darcy Flory.
“We have German heritage and we like to come out to events like this, cultural events like this
around the city,” said Flory.
Alongside German food and beer, GAK also opened a merchandise booth. Susan Losche was in
charge of the GAK Kloset booth, selling authentic German clothes and hats, as well as necklaces
and flower crowns and steins.
“What we’re trying to do is raise funds for the facilities of the club. So we’ve had some
donations that were given to us as well as some other items that were purchased so we can raise
those funds so that we can replace the carpet, maybe do some other facility needs of the club,”
said Losche.
It is Indiana University School of Medicine Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology Travis
Jerde’s fourth year as a member of GAK, and the second as part of its board. He spent most of
his evening working the food stalls serving pretzels to the hundreds of adults and children who
came out to the Sunken Gardens to celebrate German culture. His only break in the four hours
were for two dance performances by die Fledermäuschen Tanzgruppe, a German dance group he
is also a part of.
The dance performances lasted half an hour, calling on audience members of all ages to join in
for a few dances as well. Members of die Fledermäuschen Tanzgruppe led inexperienced
partners through the dances, while most people at the festival gathered around to watch. Spirits
were high as they danced in a circle and the tempo of the song got faster, and the inexperienced
dancers were caught off guard.
At the end of the performances, die Fledermäuschen Tanzgruppe brough everyone together to
join in the Chicken Dance. Children ran from across the gardens to participate, dragging their
parents with them.
Following the performance, the lines for the food stall lengthened across the patio. Brats were in
high demand, selling out quickly while the cooks rushed to cook more. Pretzels, with or without
salt, were served with a side of bafta, with or without horseradish. That’s where Jerde could be
found.
Despite never having a break, Jerde’s spirits never faltered. German culture, German history,
German studies is a hobby to him, one he holds dear. Oktoberfest is when he gets to share that
hobby with people in the community.
His favorite part of the whole thing? Not the food, nor the beer, or the dancing.
In fact, Jerde said his favorite part of Oktoberfest is “seeing everybody come out and be a part of
the German American culture, something that kind of went away for many years and is coming
back. And so my favorite part is being able to contribute to that, and being able to contribute
authenticity to that, so it’s not just a party with a cartoon German theme, but actually has a level
of authenticity.”
 Source Sheet
Story slug: Garfield Park’s Oktoberfest
Reporter: Tatiana Montavon
Date interviewed: 9/28/19
In person
Quoted
Source name with correct spelling: Darcy Flory
Local resident

Reporter: Tatiana Montavon

Date interviewed: 9/28/19
In person
Quoted
Source name with correct spelling: Susan Losche
Member of German American Klub of Indianapolis

Reporter: Tatiana Montavon

Date interviewed: 9/28/19
In person
Quoted
Source name with correct spelling: Travis Jerde
Indiana University School of Medicine Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, board
member of German American Klub of Indianapolis
Place of employment: Indiana University