Snapshots of Oktoberfest: Rooftop Protest, Rowdy Dances, Old Photos

What’s a PBID? 

Anyone looking up near the east end of La Mesa Boulevard at Oktoberfest might have asked that question Saturday. Atop All Things Bright & British was the international “no” symbol through the acronym PBID—which stands for property-based business improvement district.

But the move toward a vote of Village property owners to tax themselves for street improvements and other services was far from the minds of most visitors on the second day of the 38th annual Oktoberfest, hosted by the La Mesa Village Merchants Association.

Of greater concern to tens of thousands on the event’s busiest day: Where’s the best brew? Or how long is the line for homemade root beer?

Other queries came at the La Mesa Historical Society photo and document display at the Heller Building at 8295 La Mesa Blvd. 

Where is my future street?  Where would my school go? And (to historian James Newland): Would you autograph your book for me?

The final question of the night might have been: Why can’t I get into the Chamber of Commerce beer garden on Allison Avenue?

Answer: It had reached capacity of about 2,000 people. No more room.

By 11:30 p.m., La Mesa police were preparing for their final sweep—a march down a 10-block portion of La Mesa Boulevard to make sure vendor booths were secure and people were off the street.

Only three arrests were noted Saturday, police said about 11:20 p.m. They were for public drunkenness.

The only question left for Sunday: Could anything top Saturday’s nighttime weather?