Friday, September 26, 2008
By Denise Dick
BOARDMAN — Families and crafts enthusiasts have twice the chance to enjoy the arts, crafts, food and displays at Boardman Rotary’s biggest annual fundraiser.
The Rotary’s 31st annual Oktoberfest will run two days this year, instead of the usual one.
Festivities run from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Boardman Park. Admission is $3.
“For the last 10 years, we’ve been asking vendors as they leave the park if they’d like to have it [a two-day] event or not,” said Joe Thomas, co-chairman of the event.
This year he also called vendors to get their take.
“They said, ‘Absolutely, let’s give it a try,’” Thomas said.
Whether it will continue as a two-day festival or return to one day next year depends on how this year’s event goes, he said.
The one-day fete drew between 8,000 and 12,000 people, and Thomas hopes to attract 15,000 attendees with the additional day.
About 25 people — nearly 25 percent of the club’s 104 members — showed up at the park Thursday afternoon to begin setting up.
“We set up along the whole drive,” said Nina Hanna, event co-chairwoman.
It marks her first and Thomas’ fourth year heading the event.
Rotarians used maps to stake out and rope off where vendor booths will be situated.
“We have 320-some arts and crafts vendors, 30 food vendors, entertainment, hot-air balloon rides, a petting zoo and a children’s museum,” he said.
Goodies Galore, a dessert tent run by Rotary members and their spouses, returns this year. On-stage entertainment will run from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.
“The Mahoning Valley Antique Car and Corvette Club will be there with cars for people to look at,” Thomas said.
This year’s sponsors are the DeBartolo Corporation, WFMJ, Caribou Coffee, Alltel, First Place Bank, Chapters, Simon Roofing and Beautistone.
Rotarians ask Saturday attendees not to park at the Shops at Boardman Park. Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Canfield post will be directing parkers away from the shops Saturday.
There is free parking and shuttle service to the festival both days from the Southwoods Surgery Center and from behind Dillards at the Southern Park Mall.
Oktoberfest is the biggest fundraiser for Boardman Rotary, which donates to several organizations including Beatitude House, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Easter Seals, Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA.
“Everyone should come out and have a good time,” Thomas said.