Oktoberfest: a traditional autumn festival that features beer drinking and merry-making.
ARToberfest: a Fourth and Gill party that not only features beer drinking and merry-making, but also represents local artists in the community.
This festival hit the historic Fourth and Gill neighborhood Saturday evening for a night filled with all the warm fuzziness of fall. The event was created ultimately to raise awareness and funds for the local art community by letting independent artists showcase and sell their creations.
Because this time of year is known for Oktoberfest, ARToberfest themed its event around German festivities. Bratwursts were featured as the main course and were paired with different Highland Brewing Company tastes to create the atmosphere of a German party.
Featured musicians kept the festive spirit alive throughout the night. The Knoxville Polka Kings, The Misty Mountain String Band and Devan Jones and The Uptown Stomp were the headliners, as they spent the night keeping the festival authentic to its German ways.
Laurie Meschke, the chair of ARToberfest’s planning committee, has been helping shape the event for over a year now. As a lover of the neighborhood and a woman of German heritage, she loved the idea of raising money for the art community by showcasing art and drinking beer.
“We have so many artists in the neighborhood that we should have public art,” Meschke said.
Mighty Mud, a ceramics supply shop and artist studio, contributed to the local art theme. Owner Barron Hall and his team created 100 steins in two months to sell at the festival. Serving as souvenirs, the steins were a mark of something new that could make an impact on Fourth and Gill.
The festival came together with the help of more than 50 volunteers as well as more than $10,000 in sponsorship from local businesses. With all the support, Meschke was happy to say that the festival was going “swimmingly well.”
Because it is all about the art, Meschke hopes that the Oktoberfest theme will move to the back burner and art will become the center of attention for future ARToberfests.
Allison Watson and her family are Fourth and Gill natives that also hope ARToberfest continues to grow. As a family with young children, this event gave a reason for families to come and enjoy the festivities.
A face-painting station took the cake for all the kiddo’s favorites, as Watson’s son Jesse explained while pointing out the giant sword on his face. There was also a car that anyone could paint on, which was a close second to the face art.
“The events in this neighborhood are kid and adult friendly,” Watson said. “That is what makes Fourth and Gill so awesome.”
