Wow of a weekend

Peace Race, Oktoberfests, Penguins, Buckeyes, Phantoms will keep Valley kicking

Staff Report

YOUNGSTOWN — This weekend features a heavy dose of sports but offers much more for area residents.

Cooler conditions and leaves’ changing color will be accented at several Oktoberfest celebrations. The first event is sponsored by the Boardman Rotary Club and is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in Boardman Park on U.S. Route 224.

The second event is a downtown ethnic-heritage festival and Oktoberfest from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday on Central Square. The event will feature musical acts, such as Geo C and Tha Storm and County Mayo. Ethnic-food vendors and breweries will also be present.

For those who are feeling a little less festive and a little more competitive, plenty of sports-related events are also on the schedule.

The Youngstown State University Penguins (3-1) take on the Bears of Missouri State (2-2) tonight at 6 at Stambaugh Stadium. The Penguins are undefeated in their only home game so far this season and look to improve as their next two contests are in the friendly confines of Stambaugh.

Those looking for other college football action can tune in to watch The Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1) travel to take on the Indiana Hoosiers (3-1) in Bloomington.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Buckeyes have posted shutouts against their last two opponents, including blanking Big Ten conference rival Illinois last week.

And for sports fans who want a little bit of ice before the snowfall, the Youngstown Phantoms open their inaugural season as a part of the United States Hockey League tonight.

The Phantoms will face off against the Indiana Ice at 7:15 p.m. at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown.

Also slated for this weekend is the 35th annual Peace Race run that begins downtown Sunday morning. The running of the 10-kilometer race will force the closing of several drives within Mill Creek Park, so patrons of the park are asked to prepare and adjust their visit accordingly.