Friday, September 10, 1999
Covington Oktoberfest has food, fun for 'everyone's palate'
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — The MainStrasse Village Association's Klosterman Family Oktoberfest opens its 21st year tonightwith more family activities and dozens of food and entertainment offerings.
“There's something here for everyone's palate,” festival co-chairman Artie Kidwell said.
“We have classic German fare like bratts, metts and goetta sausages. And if you want something other than German food, we have Izzie's corned beef sandwiches, several barbecue booths, country ham sandwiches and Chinese food. You name it, and we probably have it.”
This year's entertainment also runs the gamut, with everything from Big Band sounds to country and western acts to traditional German bands, Mr. Kidwell said.
Doloris Carpenter, a former festival volunteer who owns the Linden Noll Gift Haus, remembers the first Oktoberfest as “a tiny little thing” that drew about 500 people.
This weekend, more than 300,000 people are expected to visit the three-day festival, which will be spread over four city blocks in and around Covington's Goebel Park.
The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. today, with opening ceremonies on the Goebel Park stage. The Donauschwaben Youth Group dancers will be among six acts performing tonight, and visitors also can opt for karaoke at 8 p.m. at the Goose Girl Fountain.
Unlimited rides will be offered in the Fifth Street parking area for a $10 ticket from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. And for younger guests, there will be pony rides, balloon shapers and other activities in Goebel Park.
While Oktoberfest traces its roots to a 19th century German wedding feast known for its free-flowing beer, organizers of Covington's celebration are trying to shift the focus to more family-oriented activities, Mr. Kidwell said. New this year are a climbing wall and three nationally known recording artists: Keith Urban, Shane Minor and South 65.
“It's not a drinking fest,” Mr. Kidwell said. “We have scores of food booths and craft booths that have something for everyone. A surprising amount of people do their Christmas shopping during Oktoberfest.”
At a kickoff luncheon Thursday, Kevin O'Conner of Reubens was the center of attention in his “Goetta Life” T-shirt, as he cooked a new offering at this year's Oktoberfest — goetta sausages, or bun links.
“People asked us to give them goetta in a more useable form, so we did,” said Mark Balasa of the Gliers Meats Inc. in Covington. He said Gliers expects to sell about 1,500 of the goetta sausages this weekend.
For many vendors, such as the Paul Teague family of Original Corn Roast in Taylor Mill, this weekend's festival will be a family affair, as various families work booths.
“It's been a big success for us,” Mr. Teague said. “We enjoy the people and the atmosphere. It's just a really nice show.”
IF YOU GO
• What: 21st annual MainStrasse Village Klosterman Family Oktoberfest.
• When: 5-11 p.m. today; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
• Where: Covington's MainStrasse Village, just off the Interstate 75 Fifth Street exit.
• Features: Ethnic foods, entertainment and works by more than 100 artisans and crafters.
• Shuttle Service: Free shuttle runs from lots near the festival area, the Westin Hotel, the Embassy Suites Hotel, the IRS lot in Covington on Saturday and Sunday only, the Covington parking garage at Seventh and Scott streets, Jillian's in Covington, and Fifth Third Bank lot in Fort Wright.
• Information: 357-MAIN.
Taft offers schools $10.2B
Jury urges death for Lynch
Radio station reconsiders 'bridge of bras'
Shopkeeper earned 'respect' in hard way
Temples increase security for holy days
Southern Baptists want Jews to convert
Greeting card exhibit puts Rosh Hashana tradition on display
Crash victims 'had no chance'
Family faces death of teen, grandfather
Covington Oktoberfest has food, fun for 'everyone's palate'
Oxford visitors in for a sweet time at Honey Festival
Parade opens Harvest Home Fair
Soldiers to restore old cemetery
Christians want to stress religious meaning of 2000
Ex-law school dean courts the outdoor life
GET TO IT
Prostate cancer checks offered
Adviser offers suggestions for Ludlow budget
Board opposes splitting Middletown-Monroe
Board reluctant on sewer dispute
Grant Co. may display commandments
Klan rally tangles busy Columbus weekend
Magnet plan reaction mixed
Man accused of faking disability
Minister sees talents as tools for community
Muhlhauser almost finished
New Clearcreek Twp. trustee
Pregnant woman sentenced to prison
Stadium project shy of minorities goal
TRISTATE DIGEST
Villagers speak up: No landfill
Without Kyle, life is 'too quiet' for grieving parents
Youth pleads not guilty in shooting
