Friday, September 08, 2000

Oktoberfest OKs beer in street

---

By Chris Mayhew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        COVINGTON — Oktoberfest in Germany features beer in the square; this year's Oktoberfest in MainStrasse Village will, too.

        People attending this year's German-theme festival will be allowed to carry alcoholic drinks outside bars into the promenade area, thanks to a compromise between the MainStrasse Village Association and residents.

Jack Schulte (left) of Fort Wright and Craig Worstell of Park Hills cook a giant skillet of kielbasa, goetta, peppers and onions. The occasion: a kickoff luncheon in Covington's Goebel Park for the MainStrasse Village Association Oktoberfest. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        Problems with public drunkenness and property damage during last March's Mardi Gras led to tougher rules for sales of alcohol.

        For Mardi Gras, bars and restaurants were allowed to sell liquor from windows and doors as well as inside their establishment. People could drink outside the promenade area.

        Then for Maifest, bars and restaurants were allowed to sell inside their establishments only and the alcohol could be consumed only inside.

        Oktoberfest will be less strict, enabling bars to serve more people inside their premises and allowing people to consume the beverages outside within the promenade.

        Said Assistant City Manager Tom Steidel: “We found a better way to do it. Now we have an agreement with all the liquor establishments.

        “That's a product of continuing negotiations with the city, MainStrasse Vil lage Association and the residents of MainStrasse Village area.”

        The three-day event, which starts today, is expected to attract more than 100,000 people.

        As at Maifest, the festival will have a greater police presence, an expanded cleanup area, more portable toilets and increased parking for residents and festival- goers, Mr. Steidel said.

        It will also have a help line to field complaints arising from the party, but not everyone has access to it.

IF YOU GO

Oktoberfest will take place along the Sixth Street promenade and Philadelphia Street and will extend into Goebel Park.   New this year is Zach Morgan's Children's Show from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the John R. Green Stage.   There will be three entertainment stages, which will feature live German and contemporary music, dancers and cloggers.   There also be an amusement midway, which will include a Ferris wheel, and Kinderplatz, a playground area for small children.   Oktoberfest hours will be 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

        The MainStrasse Village Association mailed and handed out more than 600 fliers this week with the phone number of the event's command center, which will take any complaints from residents, said Donna Kre mer, administrative coordinator for the MainStrasse Village Association.

        Nonresidents with complaints are asked to call the MainStrasse Association's office number, 491-0458; it will be staffed over the weekend, Ms. Kremer said.

        Harold Tuch, 43, a volunteer 12 years for both Maifest and Oktoberfest, has been helping set up for the festival all week.

        A former MainStrasse resident, he has driven from his home near Stowe, Vt., for the past three years to help set up tables and chairs, work in booths and supervise a cleanup crew.

        He said he keeps coming back because he knows how to coordinate the setup and cleanup, and because they need him.

        Pauline Eilers, 82, a resident of Bakewell Street for 60 years whose grandfather immigrated from Germany, said she enjoys Oktoberfest and tries to attend each year.

        “I love it,” she said. “I love it when they have the big tent down there and all the German music. I go down and listen to it.”

        She said she enjoys the festival because she gets to see people she knew from years ago from her former church, St. Aloysius, which burned down in 1985.

        “A lot of those people have moved away,” she said.

        “I was from a family of eight and I'm the only one left.”

       

---

Final farewells to Office Kevin Crayon, Courtney Mathis
Excerpts from Officer Kevin Crayon's funeral
Bush vows to boost military morale
Fire chief harasser, some say
Plan: Expand Ohio dental care
Goals outlined in 'state of schools' address
New magnet schools sign-up plan
United Way's goal a record $59.6 million
'Hump' crews tell of awe, fear
Accused killer of daughter, 2, faces rape trial
Board plans to keep pursuing dentist
Boone Co. regroups on anti-mine stance
College taught him one thing: It's up to you
26 complaints made about Rosedale
Concealed gun law 'unfair'
Draud agrees to spar
Fire rips Reading plant
Ask a Stupid Question
Lunken critics blast deal
Manhunt ends when husband turns self in
Monroe City Fest expanding along with area
Oktoberfest OKs beer in street
Olympics haven't won city over
President of UD will leave post he has held since 1979
Second act saves 'Merry Wives'
Sheriff's donation fund to be audited
Speed takes him to Sydney
Suspect in prank calls: no contest
Turfway partner may sell share
West Side loves a parade
Get to it
Kentucky News Briefs
Pig Parade: Newpig Aquarium
Tristate A.M. Report