Like the old song says, “Tie a yellow ribbon 'round Fountain Square.” Well, maybe not, but that's what's going to happen at the annual Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Sept. 15 and 16.

        Tony Orlando, nee Tony Orlando and Dawn, has been booked to lead the annual chicken dance and kazoo band, a job previously held by such feathered friends as Al Hirt, Weird Al Yankovic, former Monkee Davy Jones, the San Diego Chicken and Prince Luitpold Von Bayern, the cown prince of Bavaria.

        “Why Tony Orlando? Because for years "Tie A Yellow Ribbon' has been an anthem of community, of harmony, of people coming together in the face of adversity,” says Raymond "Buz' Buse,spokesman for the Downtown Council, organizers of Oktoberfest.

        “What better song to re-energize Cincinnati and show the world we're coming together?”

        Early plans call for this year's celebration to go beyond a song and dance: The Square will be decorated with hundreds of yellow ribbons.

        So will the guests, if Mr. Buse has his way. He's exploring the possibility of distributing 10,000 yellow ribbons for kazoo players to wear on shirts.

        And, as always, organizers will distribute 30,000 free kazoos to be used during the chicken dance and to — brace yourself — accompany Mr. Orlando on “Tie a Yellow Ribbon.”

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