COVINGTON — The smell of pork, beef and pinhead oatmeal wafted past the clock tower at Goebel Park as people celebrated the city's first Goettafest on Saturday.

        Goettafest showcased the versatility of the breakfast meat made of beef, pork and pinhead oats. Lines of people 50 deep formed at the booths to try some of the different incarnations: goetta pizza, goetta tacos, goetta burritos, goetta balls, goetta burgers and goetta hoagies.

        The one-day festival, which took place adjacent to the Fifth Third Summer Art Show on MainStrasse, was sponsored by the MainStrasse Village Association and Glier's, the Covington company that produces about 1 million pounds of goetta a year — said to be more than any other goetta producer in the world.

        Those who attended Goettafest when it opened at 11 a.m. saw the coronation of the Goetta King — former Cool Ghoul Dick Von Hoene.

        Goettafest chairman Artie Kidwell handed him a crown and a goetta scepter. Mr. Kidwell presented a tiara to the Goetta Queen, Marsie Hall-Newbold, a public relations consultant.

        Mr. Kidwell said both were chosen for their sense of humor and showmanship. The king and queen greeted customers and participated in a ceremonial cutting of goetta links to open up the first Goettafest.

        Mr. Von Hoene said being goetta royalty is a great perk for him. “I'm German, and I love goetta,” Mr. Von Hoene said with a laugh that caused his crown to shake atop his head. “Goetta is good for you, has nutrients and slides down easily.”

        For the Goetta Queen, Mrs. Newbold, who collects British royal family memorabilia, being crowned at Goettafest is her first personal brush with royalty.

        “I have never been queen of anything,” Mrs. Newbold said, her tiara twinkling in the summer sun. “They denied me prom queen in high school, but now I am finally going to be royalty.”

        Goettafest patrons also took part in games like the Goetta Toss, which involved throwing a link of goetta though a target.

        Entertainment ranged from square dancing to rock music.

        The Kentucky Kuzzins Square Dance Club was one of the first to perform.

        Club president Joe Mueller said he would like to see more family events like the Goettafest.

        “It's a nice thing for the neighborhood and I'm glad others are backing it,” Mr. Mueller said.

        Mike Pierson of Amelia said he liked the goetta burritos at the festival and wished Taco Bell would start offering them.

        Mr. Kidwell, a goetta enthusiast and professional magician, said he hopes Goettafest breaks some stereotypes surrounding goetta.

        “For a long time, goetta was looked at as something that goes alongside eggs at the breakfast table,” said Mr. Kidwell. “We want to get the word out that goetta isn't just for breakfast anymore.

        To promote the diverse use of goetta, Glier's held a recipe contest for the best goetta recipe, but the winner was a Pennsylvania resident and not a Cincinnati one.

        Scott Davis's spagoetta, which is spaghetti with goetta meat sauce and meatballs, won the hearts of Glier's handpicked judges. For the prize-winning meal, Mr. Davis will receive a year's supply of Glier's goetta and Glier Gear merchandise. Other recipe entries included eggs benedict with goetta and goetta casserole.

        Mr. Kidwell said he came up with the idea for a Goettafest to promote the area. “I began to think "What makes this area unique?' and then I realized we have the world's largest producer of goetta,” Mr. Kidwell said.

        When surveying the crowd at Goettafest, Mr. Kidwell was thrilled at the support the community has given it. “Sell my clothes, I'm going to heaven!” Mr. Kidwell said.

Priest admits sex with boys
Pick a color for Suspension Bridge
Robber's warning unheeded
As mold grows, so do health worries
Mastering mold: how to get control
Answers about mold
Health in jeopardy at creek, state says
7-year-old's car wash helps neighbors
Got a goetta itch? Goettafest helps
Porkopolis party-goers queue up for BBQ
Secret degree shocks family
Theme parks expect many visitors
BRONSON: Fill in the stupid blank
CROWLEY: Unity event excuse for potshots
'Deadbeat' list yields 24 arrests in the first week
Graham's Gospel bridges generations
Many schools, one problem
Stroke treatment shows promise
XU panel: Trade vs. human rights
High school minorities get college credit
Local Digest
New era for career center
Tristate's priciest homes
Congrats
Dumpster divers digging in
Kids cautioned about railroad tracks
Ohio city deploys fish in war on mosquitoes
Court topples topless ban
Group seeks list of donors
Ind. day-care licenses pulled
Indiana must give aid to disabled
Jockeys' Guild fires staff amid insurance woes