Residents of German Village are trying to bring Oktoberfest back to their neighborhood this year, but their task isn’t an easy one.

Oktoberfest has been one of German Village Society’s signature events for the past 20 years, but the festival has been held in six different locations in that period, none of which was German Village.

“Oktoberfest has not been held in German Village for almost 50 years,” said Erin O’Donnell, executive director for the German Village Society.

In order to shut down Third Avenue for the four-day festival, organizers must get permission from 80 percent of the business owners and residents on the street.

Bill Curlis, the event chairman for the German Village Society, sent a letter March 17 to residents and businesses asking them to allow the Third Street closure between Beck and Frankfort streets.

“Your approval is absolutely essential; we, literally, cannot hold the event without your approval,” Curlis said in the letter.

The street would be closed October 1-4, and the actual festival would held October 2-4.

Curlis said in the letter that the society wants to bring the festival back to German Village and turn it into the neighborhood festival it was once envisioned to be.

The society is considering alternative locations, but is still trying to get permission from the residents and business owners before their deadline.

“The deadline is technically not until 30 days before the event, but we have personal deadlines sooner than that,” O’Donnell said.

Jeff Benson, owner of G. Michaels Bistro at 595 S. Third St., said he is opposed to the street closure.

“For us, personally, it would dramatically damage our business,” Benson said.

The type of people coming to Oktoberfest will not be looking to drink a glass of wine, nor would they be dressed appropriately to come to G. Michaels Bistro, he said.

“I want to work out what is best for the village as a whole,” he said.

Benson said he would love to see Oktoberfest in German Village again, but doesn’t think it should be in front of any businesses.

Last year, Oktoberfest was held in September at Genoa Park and Amphitheater downtown. This year the festival will be on October.

The society’s goal is to bring the festival back to German Village this year, and keep it in the village year after year, O’Donnell said.

Allyson Simcox can be reached at [email protected].