GWU Octoberfest planned for Oct. 29

Lions and tigers and bears -- along with superheros, witches and space aliens -- will invade Gardner-Webb University's (GWU) Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center on Monday, October 29, 2018, for the school's annual Octoberfest event that will offer area children a variety of candy, games and other fun activities. The free evening of entertainment is set for 6-8 p.m.

"Octoberfest is a fall festival and Halloween-style event for local families that provides a safe place for the community to gather and have fun," says Mindy Robinson, GWU coordinator for community engagement and student ministries. "Children and their parents can wear costumes to the festival, which includes pizza and drinks for the kids, candy and popcorn for everyone, and a variety of games and crafts. This year we have an inflatable caterpillar obstacle course, along with other surprises."

While the event has become a tradition in the community, this year it will be on a different day of the week.

"In the past we have always had it on the Thursday before Halloween, but this year there was a conflict, so we decided to move it to Monday," says Robinson. "We are really hoping that the word gets out to those that make this an annual part of their Halloween tradition so that they don't miss it."

More than 100 GWU students, faculty and staff members help organize and operate Octoberfest.

"Activities range from small games, such as a ring toss or fishing, to a mad scientist lab and a real live game of Clue," says Robinson. Many of GWU's athletic teams participate in the event by signing their autographs on season schedules or other team memorabilia.

"The kids just love getting those autographs," says Robinson.

"We look forward to hosting this event because we want the kids in our community to know that we care about them and their families," says Robinson. "Our students love volunteering for Octoberfest. They get very excited to dress up and interact with the kids."

For more information, visit www.gardner-webb.edu/newscenter and click on the Octoberfest story link.