Portneuf Valley Brewing has chosen the Student Veterans of America at Idaho State University to benefit from this year’s 17TH Annual Oktoberfest and Street Party, Sept. 24, 4 pm – midnight. The SVA came to the brewery’s attention earlier this year after ISU was named the 4th most veteran friendly school in the nation by G.I. Jobs Magazine. The fest is a family friendly event.
More than 500 people attend ISU using veterans benefits and the SVA is their primary voice, according to Todd Johnson, Veterans Student Services Center director. “The SVA serves a vital role by not only representing our veterans to the university’s administration, but also by providing veterans the opportunity to stay connected and active within the Veteran community.”
The importance of the SVA cannot be underestimated, and the funds raised will directly benefit veteran students, Johnson added. The SVA directly connects veterans attending ISU to veteran specific programs from tutoring though the Veterans Trio program to referrals to the county veteran services officer.
Outreach is probably the most important role the SVA plays, Johnson said. “Especially right now with more students returning to in classroom instruction. Over the last few years our veterans have lost contact not just with the SVA, but the veterans’ community as whole.”
The SVA is looking for volunteers to help set up and tear down for the Oktoberfest on the day of the event, Johnson said. “It’s mostly just helping set tables and benches out and then bringing them in after the fest, but they do need a help with a few other things.” Set up will start in the early afternoon tear down has to be completed by midnight.
They are also looking for a business or individual to sponsor a prize or two for the stein holding competition, he added. There are six steins, one for each military service. The competition is deceptively simple, Johnson said. The participants have to hold a 1-liter stein full of beer straight in front of them at shoulder level as long as possible. “It’s a lot tougher than you’d think.”
Schedule: 4 p.m.: Gates open
5 p.m.-7pm Live Music with No No Squares (Rock & Reggae)
7 pm Stein Holding Contest
7:10 p.m.-9 p.m. Opskamatrists (SKA and Reggae)
8 p.m. – Midnight: 3G Country will be playing inside in the PVB Loft (Country Rock)
The SVA will receive the net profit from the gate proceeds. Gates open at 4 pm. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for children over 12. ISU students with a Bengal ID card get 50 percent off the gate fee. Children under 12 are free.