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I get so tired of hearing their lame excuses as to why, they can't have a GERMAN festival IN German Village. Next year it will be at Genoa Park and be like every other generic festival in Columbus. If they spent half the time coming up with a feasible plan for Schiller Park that they spend explaining why they can't do it in Schiller Park, Columbus could have an amazing Oktoberfest celebration in an authentic neighborhood.
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German Village
No plans to return Oktoberfest to Schiller Park
Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008
By DAVID J. CROSS
ThisWeek Staff Writer
German Village Society trustee Bill Curlis has tackled the question on a regular basis over the years: Why can't Oktoberfest be held at Schiller Park?
Earlier this month, the German Village Society announced for the second straight year that its annual Oktoberfest would be changing locations, this time settling at Genoa Park & Amphitheater, 303 W. Broad St.
The news has prompted some to ask why the society can't move the German-themed event to German Village.
"Why not Schiller Park?" Curlis asked. "Where do you put 35,000 people and 12,000 cars?"
Curlis said there are many issues that make a move to Schiller Park unlikely, including concerns that prompted the society to move the event out of McPherson Commons in the Arena District, a property maintained by the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks.
Organizers previously said last year's event went well, though there were difficulties in setting up water and electricity service.
In addition, because alcohol couldn't be served in the commons, and city officials wouldn't allow streets to be closed, organizers had difficulties finding a place to serve adult beverages.
These problems could persist at Schiller Park at least in some degree, Curlis said.
Aside from this, Curlis said there were concerns from the city and the society that the park would be damaged.
After the most recent Oktoberfest, the society had to pay for $1,000 in repairs to grounds, Curlis said.
"They were not pleased with having to have that process," Curlis said, adding the society's decision to move was based on more than concerns from the city.
Curlis said there has been more than a million dollars worth of improvements made to Schiller Park in the past 15 years and Oktoberfest could negate some of the upgrades.
"I'm sure that's part of parks and (recreation's) concern also," Curlis said.
Other concerns about moving the event to Schiller Park include resident support.
To have an outdoor event there, Oktoberfest organizers would need to have the support of 80 percent of the residents around the area, Curlis said, citing city code.
"There's not enough room and there wouldn't be enough support from people living around the park," Curlis said.
He pointed out that residents in the area complain about parking when the Actors' Theatre, which attracts far fewer people, use the park during the warmer months.
"Right now neighbors scream and holler during the summer months," Curlis said.
Still, during the early 1960s, Oktoberfest was twice held at Schiller Park, which to some has been an indicator that it could return.
But this was before the society took over the event.
"It outgrew Schiller Park," said Katharine Moore, society executive director.
"It has never ever been in German Village since the German Village Society has been running it for the 20 years," Curlis said.
Some have suggested that busing in patrons from other areas could alleviate parking concerns.
Curlis said this too would prove difficult. He said a large-scale busing operation would hamper profits earned from the event.
Curlis said this would detract from people coming to an outdoor festival.
"Where do we bus them to and from?" Curlis asked. "The City Center parking garage?"
Moore had similar comments.
"Shuttles are a great benefit ... but that can't be the answer for the majority of the guests," she said.
Moore said it is important for people to realize the society's goal for putting on the event.
"It is not our mission to present an ethnic festival each and every year," Moore said, adding that the event is one of the nonprofit's two major fundraisers. This year it is expected to bring in $80,000.
Event organizers need to insure the event is held in the best possible manner to attract guests, Moore said.
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