The German festival Oktoberfest is underway, and Eastern students celebrated in Coleman Hall on Monday at 6 p.m.

The event was hosted by the German Club and featured a trivia contest, traditional German food and a taste of contemporary German music.

2018 marks the 208th anniversary of the first Oktoberfest, and it has since grown into one of the largest festivals in the world.

The attendees gathered in room 1609 before heading across the hall to fill a plate with various types of German sausages and snacks before starting the trivia contest.

The room was split into two teams called Katzen and Hunde, or in English, cats and dogs.

The questions covered the history of Oktoberfest and brewing of beer in Germany, specifically the state of Bavaria and city of Munich, where Oktoberfest is held.

Christiane Eydt-Beebe, department chair of the foreign languages department and adviser of the German Club, put together the trivia questions to be both educational and entertaining.

“They were easy ones,” she said. “Sometimes I put questions in that make you think a little bit, like ‘what do monks have to do with beer brewing?’ So I integrate a little history lesson as well, which is great fun for me.”

Attendees ranged from German majors to students from other departments who were interested in the event.

Eastern senior Ashley Parola is a biological sciences major, but she said she enjoyed the event.

“I have a whole bunch of German friends, and I’ve been to Germany twice,” Parola said. “I’m just very interested in the culture and getting to know a little more about the culture.”

She said her favorite part of the event was the food.

“I love German food. It’s awesome,” Parola said. “That’s my favorite part about going over (to Germany).”

Eastern freshman Khristopher Stevens is a German major and member of the German club.

He said he was never very interested in learning Spanish or French, but something about German pulled him in.

“Growing up, I didn’t know much about the German language,” he said. “Somehow when I got into German, I just had a connection to it. I love to learn about the culture and love talking to German speakers.”

Eydt-Beebe said she was happy with the turnout.

“I am very pleased. I know students are busy, they have jobs to go to after class,” she said. “Our classroom was full, and there was a long line in front of the food table. And every little bit of food is gone, so I’m extremely pleased.”

The German club meets every other Monday in Coleman 1609 at 7 p.m. for any students who may be interested.

Eydt-Beebe said they try to explore a different aspect of German culture for every meeting and ideas are always welcome.

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or ajtumino@eiu.edu.