Dirndls, Leiderhosen, and Bier...Oh My!

I’ve never been to Oktoberfest before. Preferring to discount it as one of those events profoundly off the spectrum of “a bit of me”, I’ve always been thoroughly unbothered until this year when, in the spirit of trying everything before I left, I tripped over myself in a bid to claim the coveted press pass (elegantly and in a very ladylike manner, of course). And you know what, I get what everyone was on about. 

Now in their 15th year of partnership, Das Kommittee’s “day of dance, dirndls and debauchery” raises an average of £25,000 for Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia (TCCL) each year. TCCL is a local charity doing vital work to support the families of children diagnosed with cancer or leukaemia, from their diagnosis to three years post-treatment. They provide grants, psychosocial support, as well as free holidays for families in their St Andrews lodge. Last year’s donation totalled £28,000, and after this year’s event, the team are expecting between £28,000-30,000 — particularly impressive as the charity donation comes solely from beer sold at the token bar. Maths has never been my strong point, but that is a lot of steins.

Arriving at Kinkell Byre just after 12pm, we were in for a long day — the first bus back wasn’t until 7pm. Though I will say that the length of the event goes some way in combating the obvious gripe about the event…the £65 price tag. Coupled with the price of procuring a dirndl/leiderhosen, it’s not St Andrews’ cheapest day out, though with the proceeds going to a more than worthy cause it’s difficult to hold it against them.

The Oktoberfest committee seem to have cracked the code for avoiding the rush that typically accompanies the last bus to an event — they only advertised what time the first bus would leave and the last entry for the venue (looking at you, other committees). This meant that the venue was buzzy from the start, with a steady influx of guests in the first hour. The feelings of elation and excitement were certainly boosted by the steins of beer and jägerbombs for sale. 

Despite Kinkell Byre’s lack of phone signal, multi-levels, and generally chaotic toilet layout which ‘helpfully’ make the venue a hellscape when trying to track down any friends who drunkenly wandered off, it cannot be argued that it’s a great place for a party. Decked out like a traditional festzelt, the dance floor was easily navigable, and vacating the premises to get a drink was quick and easy.

For those who thought the bus ride to Kinkell Byre following a 9am pres was the most nauseating part of the day, all they had to do was step outside to be proven very wrong. Accompanying the various benefits (depending on how you view it) of an Oktoberfest ticket was none other than a drop tower. I thought at first, that a carnival had set up camp outside the venue coincidentally, but no, the line of dirndl and lederhosen adorned participants said differently. To those who did ride the drop tower, I give you and your stomach my highest admiration. 

All in all, it cannot be denied a) St Andrews students will go to the ends of the Earth (or Kinkell Byre, same thing) for a chance to dress in costume and b) that Oktoberfest (regardless of what month it actually takes place in), is one of St Andrews best events, from the actual experience of attending to the superb organisation of its committee. On that note, I bid you adieu and good luck securing a ticket next year.

Photos: Ilaria Freccia