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Boardman Rotary hosts 40th annual event Oktoberfestival
By Bob Jackson
BOARDMAN
There were more clown sightings Sunday afternoon in Boardman Township. Lots of them.
But these clowns weren’t jumping out in traffic, scaring people or chasing them. They were handing out balloon animals, telling jokes and making people laugh and smile during the 40th annual Boardman Rotary Oktoberfestival in Boardman Township Park.
Reports of creepy clown sightings have been popping up across the country lately, including here in the Mahoning Valley.
The Aut Mori Grotto clowns, who have for decades spread cheer by taking their red noses and floppy feet to hospitals and nursing homes to entertain children and adults alike, said the creepy clowning is unfortunate, and they hope it doesn’t steer people clear of clowns who have only good motives at heart.
“It’s too soon to tell whether we’ll see any fallout from it,” said Joe Humansky, who performs as Woodee.
“Just consider the source,” said Ron Harver of Warren, who appears under the clown name Choo-Choo.
“You get bad apples in anything you do. But probably 9 out of 10 of those people doing that aren’t real clowns.”
True clowns are serious about, well, clowning around. They attend clown school to learn the tricks of the trade and are in it for the smiles they see on the faces of those they entertain. All the clowns who appeared Sunday had identification badges, indicating their professional clown status.
Even with all the recent news reports about creepy clowns, Woodee, Choo-Choo and their colleagues, Pokey (Jesse Boles), and J.J. (James J. LoSasso) still drew a crowd of enthusiastic children and adults Sunday.
Betty Fleps of Liberty and her 9-year-old daughter, Chloe, were among them.
“They had a big ordeal at [Chloe’s] school at the end of the week,” Betty said, explaining that some children were frightened about the creepy clown sightings. So much so, that the school principal had to address the students and calm them.
But that didn’t stop Chloe from stepping up to visit with the clowns.
“I’m not afraid,” she said with a wide smile.
John Tyree, who performs as Bill-ee, said one of the Aut Mori Grotto’s main projects is providing dental services to children with special needs. He asked that people who need such services contact him at 330-799-7394.
The clowns were only a small part of what was available Sunday.
The Oktoberfestival featured nearly 150 vendors from five states, selling a wide variety of items that included microwave heating pads, tie-dyed clothing, handmade jewelry, candles, dream catchers, candy, Halloween costumes, and, of course, food.
Debbie Eisenbraun of New Springfield and her family were among the vendors. Their tent, at which they sold handmade, fall-themed bows, wreaths and yard decorations, was a hot spot for shoppers.
“Business today has been great,” Eisenbraun said. “Even better than last year.”
Her mother-in-law, Vickie Eisenbraun, worked at the Ben Franklin store in Struthers years ago, and people used to visit the store just to buy her hand-made, themed bows, Debbie said. When Ben Franklin closed, and Vickie started selling her wares at area craft shows, people sought her out.
“They all remembered her as the Bow Lady,” Debbie said.
She said this was the third year the family has set up shop at the Oktoberfestival, but she had attended as a visitor for some 30 years before that.
“It’s a tradition,” Debbie said.
“And the poor men who come out, oh my, they’re troopers. My husband, Jeffrey, is here and he’s just great because he’s giving up his Sunday football for this.”
Carl Campbell, 66, of Lisbon, attended Sunday with his wife, Donna, 59.
“She’s somewhere shopping,” Carl said, as he stood stoically with a pull-along tote in which he carried his wife’s purchases. “I’m the pack mule.”
Campbell said he and his wife attend the event every year, mostly to do Christmas shopping.
He was hoping to get home in time to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play later in the day.
Proceeds from the festival go toward various charities including Beatitude House for women and children stricken by poverty or homelessness; local schools; and the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.