| oktoberfest |
Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:31 pm |
|
2011 Cleveland Oktoberfest
The Cleveland Labor Day Oktoberfest takes place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Sept 2-5, 2011. Directions: http://www.clevelandoktoberfest.com/directions.php). We feature a Vintage & Antique Car Show on Saturday, and offer free admission and free camping throughout the weekend to any who arrive in an air-cooled VW Bus. Campers have access to electricity and working bathrooms. We also provide campers with a half cord of wood for bonfires. Thanks to our association with LEAKOIL (Lake Erie Area Kombi Owners Involvement League), we had a great showing of buses last year (over 70), and we're hoping to see even more in 2011.
Highlights of the Cleveland Oktoberfest include Wiener Dog Races, a children's area with everything from hayrides, to inflatables, marionette shows and gingerbread house building workshops (http://www.clevelandoktoberfest.com/children.php), our Live Glockenspiel (a giant cuckoo clock with live dancers), great music (everything from the Cleveland Pops Orchestra to jazz, rock and, of course, polka), an International Pavilion with dance and musical acts representative of 25 different cultures, an Art Market with over 50 artists and crafters, a Microbrew Competition with 16 brewers, and the best restaurants in Cleveland.
This year we have a bunch of new stuff, including the Airmen of Note ensemble of the US Air Force. They've played with jazz greats such as Doc Severinsen, and have received raves from the likes of Count Basie, Bob Hope and Henri Mancini. In other words, if you like jazz, you'll really dig them. http://www.clevelandoktoberfest.com/airmen_of_note.php
New bands will include Grammy nominee Alex Meixner, and DJ Kishka. A regular at the Hofbrau Haus in Panama City, Alex is from Florida and plays a frenetic style of polka influenced by rock 'n roll, so it's kind of hybrid form that will really appeal to the younger folk. DJ Kishka is a polka DJ who is part comedian, part polka affiionado. If you've seen his act at the Happy Dog, you know what you're in for, but he's super popular, and really funny. The Cincinatti Bier Band, who were absent last year, will be back in full force, which is sweet, cause they're awesome. http://www.clevelandoktoberfest.com/music.php
Other new features include our Bavarian Dining Hall, which will also be an entertainment venue. As for new restaurants, we've brought in Balaton of Shaker Square (named Best Hungarian Restaurant in Cleveland), the Bier Haus of Strongsville, Frank's Bratwurst of West Side Market (named Best Brats by Scene Magazine), and Chris Hodgson and Hodge Podge, as featured on the Food Network's Great Food Truck Race. Chris also runs the Dim & Den Sum truck, which came in second only to Michael Symon in Cleveland Scene's ranking of the Top 100 Restaurants Cleveland Can't Live Without. Chris' girlfriend, Jacqueline Romanin is going to be Miss Oktoberfest. http://www.clevelandoktoberfest.com/menu.php
DISH Network will be bringing in a giant 9'x12' screen on which we'll show the big games of the weekend, as well as PBS's Visions of Germany and another PBS show on Germany. We'll also show some kids movies, and will host a Watch Party for The Great Food Truck Race on Sunday night. We have a ton of new vendors in our Bavarian Bazaar, including a giant new toy train layout, an artist who hand paints Russian lacquer boxes, and a bunch of other stuff. We'll also be hosting the Johnsonville Brats Cornhole Tournament, and the girls from Lingerie Football League Cleveland Crush will also be on hand.
The Best Oktoberfest Microbrew Competition will feature several new brewers, including the Cleveland Chophouse, Market Garden Brewery of W 25th St, Main Street Grille & Brewery, Willoughby Brewing Co., along with regular favorites like Great Lakes, Fat Heads, Rocky River, Buckeye Beer Engine, Cornerstone, and others (16 brewers in total). There's more, but I can't think of it right now, so you'll have to get out to the O-Fest to see firsthand!!!
LEAKOIL will hold a presentation in our Educational Building from 5-6pm on Sunday. To view a press release about O-Fest, visit this link: http://www.clevelandoktoberfest.com/news.php Feel free to call or email me if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Rich Croft
[email protected]
216-650-1665 |
|