43
Oktoberfest puts on extravaganza
Photo
WHAT A BRAT: It’s not Oktoberfest without fresh bratwurst. Jerry Compton and Peggy Ault, both of Boardman, couldn’t resist savoring the traditional sausage meal, complete with onions on top.
Photo
PICKING FLOWERS: Twins Camille and Clarissa Brown, 3, of Youngstown have separate opinions on which mums to buy. They were only two of the thousands Sunday who browsed at Oktoberfest in Boardman Township Park.
By SHELBY SCHROEDER
Despite its expansion to two days, attendance was down this year.
BOARDMAN — At the gate to Boardman Township 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 festivalgoers 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 taken place Sunday only.
“Everybody knows this show is Sunday,” said Wolanzyk, who has hauled goods to the fest for 20 years.
Other vendors, such as Tina Roberts and Rhonda Drescher of Warren’s Homespun Hollow craft shop, said the Sunday sales of their fall crafts were also better.
“We’re hoping to get rid of some more of our merchandise,” said Roberts, who was a first-time vendor at the event.
Joe Thomas, co-chairman of Oktoberfest, talked with volunteers and vendors. He said the turnout pleased crafters and concession managers.
“The vendors are happy,” he said, adding that for visitors, “the two food courts are the last chance for fair food this year.”
And drawing in customers with its sweet aroma and distinctive crackling, the season’s traditional kettle corn delighted many festivalgoers.
“The popcorn isn’t anything like stuff you can buy down the street,” said Stephane Prebzyk, 28, of Canfield, who brought her two daughters for their first time.
“The authentic food is definitely worth the cost of admission,” she said.
As for tastes in recreation, visitors were suited to different events at the park.
Near the St. James Meeting House, a group of mostly men admired vehicles at the antique car show.
And at the Maag Outdoor Arts Theatre, the Castle Country Cloggers danced for an audience of mainly children and adults. The seven-member dance team from New Castle clacked shoes to a mix of country and jazz classics. The resonance of the dancers’ metallic-clad taps could be heard across the grassy field that separated the theatre from vendors.
For organizers, the big question this year was whether a two-day Oktoberfest would see another year.
“That’s up to the final numbers,” said Thomas, “But I’m guessing [it will], because you have to give it a chance.”
Thomas estimated 9,000 visited the festival this year, a low figure he attributed to a bad economy and bad weather.
Thomas, and many of those who trekked a long distance for parking to enjoy Oktoberfest, were glad not to have missed it.
“Even though the event has been bigger in the past, the quality has always gotten better,” Prezbyk said.
sschroeder@vindy.com