Goetta lover Steve Rose, 21, of Edgewood shows off his new tattoo (Patrick Reddy photos) | ZOOM |

        COVINGTON — Self-described “goetta evangelist” Mark Balasa will do anything to promote his product, from building the world's largest goetta omelet to installing a “GOETTA” license plate on his 1993 Honda Civic.

        But the director of sales and marketing at Glier's Goetta Co. couldn't top a promotional stunt by two 20-something Northern Kentucky men.

        Wednesday, the two college students had the Glier's shield tattooed onto a shoulder to promote the company's Goettafest in Covington's MainStrasse Village on June 23.

        It all started six months ago when Mr. Balasa half-jokingly suggested to a recently tattooed acquaintance that he consider getting a Glier's tattoo.

Tattoo artist Craig Moore works on Lou Redlinger's tattoo. | ZOOM |

        To Mr. Balasa's amazement, Edgewood resident Steve Rose, who works part-time as a waiter at the Gatehouse Tavern, agreed.

        “I must have asked him a dozen times, "Are you really serious about this?'” Mr. Balasa said.

        Mr. Rose, 21, a Northern Kentucky University senior marketing major who eats goetta once a week, persuaded long-time friend, Lou Redlinger, 20, a Fort Wright connoisseur of the German food, to get his own Glier's tattoo.

IF YOU GO

• What: First Glier's Goettafest.     • When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 23.     • Where: Goebel Park in Covington's MainStrasse Village.     • Features: Non-alcoholic festival features goetta in the form of omelets, pizza, sausage, tacos, breakfast links and burgers, winners of a goetta recipe contest, entertainment and activities for children and adults.     • Information: (859) 491-0458

        Each spent more than an hour Wednesday at a MainStrasse tattoo parlor getting 3 1/2-inch tattoos — courtesy of Mr. Balasa, who paid tattoo artist Craig Moore at Designs By Dana in goetta. Mr. Moore wouldn't say how much goetta he got for the work, but that “it was a lot.”

        Friends Molly List and Maria Fugazzi, both 21, stood by in support.

        “The only person I'm not sure about is my grandfather,” Mr. Redlinger said, as Mr. Moore inscribed a red-and-white Glier's shield on his right shoulder. “He got mad at me when I got my ear pierced. I'm not sure what he'll say about this.”

        As for Mr. Balasa, there are limits to what he'll do, even to promote goetta.

        “I'm too old for a tattoo,” Mr. Balasa said. “I'm 46.”
       

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