Octoberfestivus

A Latin Convention For the Rest of Us

The Octoberfestivus began as a convention for Memphis-area high school Latin students. Its purpose was to promote Latin and generate enthusiasm for classical studies, to offer west Tennessee students the same type of local event available to Latin students in other parts of the state, and to revive the tradition of the old Mid-South Latin Tournament. The event was held at Memphis University School in 2008 and then at St. Mary's Episcopal School in 2009.

Rhodes College took over the event in 2010, moved it to November (primarily because of October scheduling conflicts), and rebranded it as simply the Festivus. The event will be at Rhodes College again in November of 2011.

Is this an authentic Roman holiday? Not exactly. The word "Octoberfestivus" is an amalgam of dies festus (or festivus) (a generic Roman holiday), Oktoberfest (the German celebration), and Festivus (the American quasi holiday popularized by a 1997 episode of Seinfeld).