Mayor Charlie Luken and Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen made a big splash with hundreds of African-Americans at the first annual “Buzz” Barbecue at Roselawn Park on Saturday afternoon.

Mayor Charlie Luken taunts a thrower and is promptly dunked during his time in a dunking booth Saturday. (Greg Ruffing photos) | ZOOM |

        Both politicians drew large crowds while serving as celebrity dunkees in a dunking booth at the community festival sponsored by WDBZ-AM (1230). One after another, eager residents lined up to pay $1 per ball for a chance to drop the mayor and prosecutor into a lukewarm pool of what was jokingly referred to as “Ohio River water.”

        Other dunkees included “Buzz” radio personalities Jay Love and Jene Galvin. Mr. Galvin donned a suit and tie and even brandished a cell phone during his time in the booth.

        Proceeds from the dunking booth benefited the Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center, a temporary home in Clifton Heights for abused teenagers and runaways. The center provides emergency services for youths such as a food, shelter, counseling and educational and recreational programs.

        African-American — were expected to attend the event, organizers said.

        Mr. Luken donated $50 to the cause, allowing 50 people to take one free shot at dunking him. Throwers sank the mayor, who wore a pair of red swimming trunks, about a dozen times.

        The mayor said it was his first stint inside a dunking booth since he attended a festival in Mount Adams 20 years ago.

        “I think some people were a little too eager. I'm not sure what message was meant by that,” said a sufficiently soaked Mr. Luken, joking afterwards. “But it's all in good fun. I had a great time and what better way to raise money for a good cause.”

        Throwers also took delight in nearly drowning Hamilton County's prosecutor, who took several more dips into the swale than the mayor.

        Mr. Allen, who sported a yellow short-sleeved shirt and khaki shorts, cajoled the crowd before entering the booth by saying they could “throw as many balls as you need, but please no grenades.”

        Mr. Allen spent close to 30 minutes in the booth. Among those who took aim at him were Juleana Frierson, chief of staff for the Cincinnati Black United Front, and Roger and Brenda Owensby, the parents of Roger Owensby Jr. The younger Mr. Owensby died of asphyxiation while in police custody in 2000.

        Ms. Frierson jokingly asked if someone could remove the iron cage protecting Mr. Allen from errant throws, before dunking him twice. The Owensbys missed on all 10 of their attempts to drench Mr. Allen.

        “Boy did they ever take advantage of their shot at me,” Mr. Allen said with a chuckle. “I thought I'd never get out of there.”

        Another highlight of the day was the much-anticipated, 100-yard sprint between radio talk show host Lincoln Ware and former Cincinnati Bengal cornerback Eric “E.T.” Thomas.

        Some who watched the race said it was too close to call. But Mr. Thomas appeared to cruise to victory, slowing up the last five yards to allow for a more exciting finish.

        When asked about his performance by an observer after the race, Mr. Ware, who had predicted his victory for weeks, responded: “What did you expect?”

        “This is a great way to bring people together,” said Jeri Tolliver, program director for WDBZ, which celebrates its two-year anniversary in August.

        “This gathering is our way of saying thanks to the community for all the support it has shown us.”
       

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