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Boardman Rotary’s 33rd Oktoberfest just days away
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FEST FUN: Nicole Vitale of Boardman checked out Halloween decorations during Oktober Fest 2008 at Boardman Park. The 2009 version of the event is this weekend at the park.
The organization also is sponsoring a hole-in-one tournament with a $75,000 prize.
By Denise Dick
BOARDMAN — The 33rd Boardman Rotary Oktoberfest offers a few new attractions in addition to the standby favorites.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in Boardman Park. Many events will be in the park’s Maag Outdoor Theatre.
Ryan Cuffle, event chairman, said that for the past few weekends, people have been competing at Kensington Golf Course, Canfield, to qualify for the Rotary’s hole-in-one tournament.
“The winner or winners will win all or a share of $75,000,” he said.
It’s the Oktoberfest’s first hole-in-one tournament, Cuffle said.
Oktoberfest is the biggest fundraiser for Boardman Rotary, which donates its proceeds to several organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Beatitude House, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, the Youngstown Foundation and the YMCA and YWCA.
During its history, the club has raised more than $3 million, donating all of it to community organizations. Most recently, Boardman Rotary donated $75,000 to Boardman Park to help build the park’s new community center.
This marks the second year for the Rotary to try a two-day event. The first 31 Oktoberfests ran for one day.
Cuffle said they’re expecting more than 15,000 people to come through the event. A $3 donation will be taken at the gate. There is free parking and shuttle service to the festival both days from the Southwoods medical facility and from behind Dillards at the Southern Park Mall.
Moon Park, also a Boardman Rotarian, said this year’s event will feature a Hi-Ya Challenge.
“They call it yelling, but it’s more than that,” he said.
“Hi-ya!” is the typical sound made during some martial-arts events, but Park of Master Park Martial Arts International, Boardman, said the challenge is good for breathing and for health and stress relief for everyone.
An application is pending with the Guinness World Records organization as Rotary hopes to set a record with the number of participants in the Hi-Ya challenge. Those who join will receive participation certificates.
A Singing Stars contest, with entrants divided by age, an international fair, a children’s coloring contest, a speech competition for children and teenagers also are part of the festivities. Awards also will be presented to young people who have demonstrated community service. Entries are divided into two age groups.
For more information about or to enter the Hi-Ya challenge, singing, or speech contest or community service awards, call Park at (330) 965-9000.
The festival expects 200 booths — mostly arts and crafts.
Included again this year is Goodies Galore, a dessert tent run by Rotary members and their spouses.
Another new offering this year is a children’s area including pony rides, face painting, story times and giant bouncers. Tickets for the children’s area are $1 each or $5 for unlimited access.
denise_dick@vindy.com
Boardman Rotary Oktoberfest Community Service Awards finalists Recipients of the 2009
Madelyn Ray, 5, and her sister Ashley Ray, 7, of Poland, who ran a lemonade stand to raise money for an American Cancer Society Relay for Life. They raised almost $250 last spring.
Tommy Sodeman, 13, of Boardman, who has completed many community service projects the last several years, including work on a wild-bird sanctuary and bunny rescue in Arizona and office work for the cancer society.
Carly and Abby Zalenski of Canton, founded an organization at their high school called Kids Building Hope. They raised $50,000 to help build an elementary school for 500 disadvantaged children in Vietnam.
Lauren Kepley, 17, of Canfield, has been involved with volunteer projects, including Relay of Life, the Ulster Project, raising funds for gift cards for families of a serviceman in Iraq and sending handmade Christmas greetings to hospitalized U.S. military veterans.
Kelly Pavlik of Canfield, the World Middleweight Boxing champion, has volunteered for many local services and fundraising events.
Source: Boardman Rotary