Oktoberfest this weekend downtown

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Oktoberfest tradition, with German beer, music and dance, will come to downtown this weekend.

The new Rhine Haus Bier Hall on North Phelps Street will launch its inaugural Oktoberfest Friday through Sunday. The street will be closed to vehicular traffic for the festival.

Hours are 6-11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults (free for children 12 and under), or a weekend pass for $10.

The festival will be family oriented by day and then evolve into a party in the evening.

A half dozen polka and German bands will perform all day.

Country musician Chris Higbee will take the stage Friday night, while tribute band Bon Journey will play Saturday night.

There will also be authentic German food, beer and folk dancers, plus Rhine wine tastings, games, vendors and exhibits.

Local ethnic radio personalities Helga and Wolfgang Wengler have been selected as the festmeisters/masters of ceremonies of the festival. The Wenglers have hosted the “German Melodies” show on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon on WKTL 90.7 FM since 1982.