In its 27 years as one of the city's most popular street festivals, Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati has earned plenty of descriptions. But "world's largest Steelers tailgate party" wasn't one of them until now.

In a marketing ploy designed to bump up tourist spending this weekend, Cincinnati tourism officials are targeting Pittsburgh Steelers fans who will be in town for Sunday's game with the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.

The blitz included ads placed by the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce last weekend in Pittsburgh newspapers and direct-mail pieces sent to an estimated 600 Steelers fans expected for Sunday's renewal of one of the NFL's most heated rivalries. The Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau pitched in, too, with giveaways on Pittsburgh radio stations featuring free game tickets and hotel rooms,

Tourism officials hope to persuade the visitors to arrive early and spend, spend, spend at Oktoberfest, which runs Saturday and Sunday downtown. About a half-million people are expected for the festival.

It's all part of the broader effort to attract tourists to Cincinnati, chamber vice president Pat Sheeran said. "We're telling people (in Pittsburgh), 'Instead of coming down late Saturday, extend your trip - come down Friday afternoon and experience the best Cincinnati has to offer,' " Sheeran said. The chamber spent "a couple of thousand dollars" on the Pittsburgh campaign.

- Cliff Peale