9,000 enjoy sights, sounds of Boardman Oktoberfest

By SHELBY SCHROEDER

Despite its expansion to two days, attendance was down this year.

BOARDMAN — At the gate to Boardman Park, a steady stream of people flowed in and out of this year’s Oktoberfest on Sunday. Many of those leaving amid the on-and-off sprinkling of rain carried garbage bags loaded with homemade yard ornaments for the upcoming holidays.

“It’s become more of a flea market, hasn’t it?” one man uttered to his companion as they left.

At first glance, curiosity strikes as to how this event differs from other fairs and festivals. But tents boasting political candidates, freshly baked dog treats and balloon animals give way to the sights and the sounds of autumn.

A large portion of this year’s approximately 320 vendors offered festival-goers a variety of Halloween and Thanksgiving decor, wind chimes, lawn furnishings and nearly anything that can be carved or cut from wood.

“Business isn’t too bad today,” said Michelle Wolanzyk, who continued to pull the wooden furniture she was selling under a tent to keep it dry.

Wolanzyk and her husband Michael craft shelves, trash containers, chairs and tables from a workshop in Cortland. Though the fine raining mist was no challenge for the quality of their woodwork, Wolanzyk said, wet furniture tends to scare away customers.

Despite the precipitation, she said business Sunday was superior to the sales of Saturday, when this year’s Oktoberfest officially opened — for the first time in its 31 years. Traditionally, the Oktoberfest has takent place Sunday only.

“Everybody knows this show is Sunday,” said Wolanzyk, who has hauled goods to the fest for 20 years.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com