Eastern Illinois University - Warbler Yearbook (Charleston, IL)

Page 11 text:

At left: Billed as the dirtiest story teller ever, Mississippi Sheik Sam Chatmon was indeed an offthewall performer. Lower Left: Fifty cents is a real bargain for the shows the University Board presents. Below: Blagen and Sayer played their own type of music-with a variety of strange musical instruments.

Page 10 text:

Sullivan: We try to give . . . exposure to local talent as well as nationally-known talent ensure a good time. At pre- sent the Rathskeller is not able to serve liquor and this accounts for many people going else- where for the evening. Another factor is the lack of publicity and coverage given by the campus newspaper. lVlany of the students dont really know what the Rathskeller offers according to Sullivan. With word of-mouth as its best advertiser and the possi- bility that a state law allowing beer to be sold on University grounds, may soon be passed, the future of the Rathskeller is looking up. The little cafe in the basement may yet become the place to go. Betsy Kaske sang the blues-both her songs and those of her favorite folk singers. la' ik James Lee Stanley played some beautiful songs, but his most memorable was his Latin hit , Oh, Hemophelia Oh, Cortazonf' Bill Camplin put a lot of feeling into his works.

Page 12 text:

by John Bearden, Jr. Those who don't go will certainly hear about it be- cause it's one of the events that gets the school year rolling. Vast quantities of food and beer ialmost 800 kegs of Busch, Budweiser, and Schlitz, 4000 pounds of bratwurstg 2000 quarters of chicken, 65 cases of German potato salad, 1500 pounds of fish, and 60 cases of sauerkraut and red cabbagei disappear down the throats of participants. Students from Eastern, Lakeland, U. of I., Illinois State, Indiana State, and Southern, as well as local citizens and visitors make the trip to the fairground site at Altamont. The event is the Schuetzen- fest, it occurs the third week- end of September and has since 1966. Proceeds go to Schuetzenfest, Inc. The money, 360,000 so far, is used for various community projects. According to Dorothy Wolf, secretary-treasurer of Schuetzen- fest, Inc., the fairground's buildings and playgrounds are examples of the projects. Shares were sold to gather initial capital, but since the first fest in 1966, it's been selfsupporting. ln German, Schuetzenfest means shooting match. There are still trapshooting contests. However, the social aspects such as squaredancing, polkaing and drinking probably appeal to more people. German bands for tradition and rock bands for the younger generation keep the dancers moving. Responses to the festival from the students are almost universally positive. They praise the occasion as fun and an escape from the ordinary. The affair is also described as a cuItural experience and quite an experience. Freeport Sophomore Keith Johnson said, from what I can remember, it was thoroughly enjoyable. One student who wished to remain anonymous thought the Schuetzenfest an appropriate area for University funding. Tim Yonke, a senior from Kankakee, said, - lt's really great to see thousands of people make asses of them- selves and thoroughly enjoy it. Some of the town's 2,000 citizens are not as enthusiastic. They fear the intrusion of marijuana. Destruction has often plagued the event. Part of a fence was destroyed and about 100 chairs were burnt in 1974. At this year's festival, a float was devastated. To guard against such vandalism, the Civil Defense is present along with elements of the local and state consta- bulary. Craig Becker, a member of the Schutzenfest board, contends that the fair could not be held at all without the Civil Defense because it would turn into a riot. Even some students complain. There are parking and traffic problems. Tom Taylor, sopho- more from Mattoon, said, I think they should have more beer trucks because you had to wait so long in line-unless you come at noon. The long lines for chips and--more of a com- pliment than a complaint--the feeling that it doesn't last long enough also bothers a few. 2. 3 s st Wx Effingham County Sheriffs and local police spent a lot of their time lwhen they weren't directing endless traffici keeping beer drinkers under control.