Dr. Parris Carter, VP of Student Engagement and Success, and Gaelle Amazon Ivory, Dean of Students, volunteered their Saturday afternoon recently for Xenia’s first Oktoberfest celebration. Ms. Ivory and Dr. Carter set up a Wilberforce University tent to establish the beginning of the university’s formal relationship with Xenia, called the Town and Gown. That initiative begins a partnership between the “town”, in this case, Xenia, and the “gown”, which represents students, and in this case, WU.
The event brought thousands of people who wound their way through the streets of downtown Xenia along S. Detroit St., as the city celebrated Oktoberfest 2021. Festival goers were encouraged to bring their own chairs to sit along the streets, as they enjoyed the food, beverages and entertainment. The Sauerkraut German Band, the Big Damn Band Jam, the Sweet Beats, and Nick Mitchell with the Devil Wind House Band provided the sounds on two stages.