Fallsnewspress.com - Organizers plan on more than 100,000 at annual Oktoberfest

by Phil Keren

Editor

Cuyahoga Falls -- With a few new features and plenty of old stand-bys, organizers of the city's 2008 Oktoberfest are hoping more than 100,000 people will attend the three-day early autumn festival.

The 29th annual event will take place at Falls River Square on Oct. 3 from 5 p.m. to midnight; Oct. 4 from noon to midnight; and Oct. 5 from noon to 8 p.m.

Falls River Square is at Broad Boulevard, Front Street and Riverfront Parkway in downtown Cuyahoga Falls.

"If we have good weather, [we expect to have] over 100,000 [people during the three-day festival]," said Bob Cochran, who is in his fourth year as chairman of the Oktoberfest Committee. "We're just keeping our fingers crossed with Mother Nature."

Cochran said "well over 100,000 people" attended last year on a weekend that "was almost too warm."

"[It was] very difficult to even move on the mall [on Friday and Saturday in 2007]," he said.

This year's event will offer a variety of musical entertainment, food, and arts and crafts. Proud parents can enter a picture of their infant or toddler in the Baby Bee contest, an event staple. Performers of German music, rock and roll from different eras, country, and rhythm and blues will play their repertoire at Oktoberfest. The Cuyahoga Falls and Woodridge high school marching bands are also scheduled to belt out some tunes.

Cochran noted organizers receive "a lot of requests" to "make sure we do have a lot of German music."

While a certain amount of the money raised at Oktoberfest goes toward funding the following year's event, the remaining proceeds are donated to more than 20 local charitable groups and non-profit organizations. The primary beneficiaries are the Cuyahoga Falls Unit of Good Neighbors Inc., the Falls Cancer Club and funding of scholarships for Cuyahoga Falls and Woodridge high school students, according to Cochran.

This year, Cochran said group organizers are hoping to have anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000 to donate to the charities. He added "around $10,000" went to the organizations last year.

New features
at the event

Cochran noted the Twinsburg Police Department will have a dunk tank during the three-day event to raise funds for the family of slain Twinsburg Police Officer Joshua Miktarian.

Miktarian was shot and killed July 13 following a traffic stop in Twinsburg.

The tank is expected to be set up on the north end of the mall near the original fountain.

"We're certainly pleased that we can help the family," said Cochran.

Cochran said DirecTV is setting up a site to accommodate sports fans' interest.

"We're going to put two large screen TVs in [the north parking deck]," said Cochran. Seating will be available in what is being called the Bier Bunker Sports Bar..

Last year, organizers engineered a set-up for viewing sporting events in the North parking deck "that wasn't very professional," said Cochran.

At the same time, he noted event organizers "had a lot of inquiries from DirecTV about setting up a booth," which led to the idea for a Bier Bunker Sports Bar. This area will function as DirecTV's booth for the event.

Cochran said he's served on the Oktoberfest committee for "about 20 years" and has worked on the event in some capacity since its inception in 1980. As an event veteran, Cochran said his favorite part of Oktoberfest is "just seeing all the people. Everybody's positive."

He added attendees often have a chance to re-connect with friends and acquaintances, some of whom they may not have seen since the previous year's Oktoberfest.

Event organizers noted the following groups donated to Oktoberfest: DirecTV; Giant Eagle; Graham Road; Don Sitts Auto Sales; Ed Denholm, D.D.S.; Compucar; LeFever's River Grille; Thompson Electric; Robert's Construction; Ron Marhofer Auto Group; Texas 10 Minute Oil & Lube; Cuyahoga Falls Catholic Credit Union; Western Reserve Printing; The Mascot Shop; and Red Bull

For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.oktoberfestcfo.com.

E-mail: pkeren@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3940

Profile of entertainers at 29th annual Oktoberfest

Oct. 3

Die Schwarzwalder -- This six-piece German band plays authentic German Oktoberfest music. Along with the standard Oktoberfest music, Die Schwarzwalder will teach a little German dancing along with some language in the Schnitzelbank song, some polka music and even throw something in for the kids with some fun German marches to get them moving.

Larry Altop and Nostalgia Gold -- Larry has been an international entertainer for more than 25 years. Tim Largent is the band's keyboard player along with vocals. David Shoop is Nostalgia Gold Band's very own Joe Cocker. Dave is the bass player and sings lead and back-up vocals. Joe Hill plays guitar and performs vocals, and is vocal arranger. Fred Sickles, the drummer and newest member of the band, also plays the bass guitar. Andy Henkel, the saxophone player and singer, plays some drums and keyboards.

Doppel Adler -- The group has a repertoire of hundreds of German Evergreens and current Schlager. Doppel Adler has been entertaining people with lively polkas, waltzes, czardas, tangos and foxtrots from all over the world for nearly 90 years. The group consists of six accomplished musicians who furnish the finest instrumental and vocal numbers. The band also performs Oct. 4.

400 Pieces -- This is an upbeat party band that specializes in playing danceable hit cover songs from the 1980s, 90s and up to the present. 400 Pieces' main goal is to deliver a high-energy show and perform songs which will have the crowd up and dancing.

Oct. 4

Festivities on this day will kick off with the Cuyahoga Falls High School Marching Band at noon, followed by The Gold Tones at 1 p.m.

Bill Smith's Music Men -- This five-piece group consists of retired individuals from all walks of life. The "Music Men" have been together for many years and have a combined musical experience that exceeds 100 years. The crowd will hear everything from polka varieties, old Rag-Time Dixieland, Big Band standards, jazz and some current tunes with various vocals.

Noizy Toyz -- The group performs songs ranging from the most current radio play to danceable rock hits of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Comprised of seasoned veterans with an extensive history throughout the Ohio music scene, Noizy Toyz will have everyone dancing and having fun.

Superstition Band -- This blues rock band has been rocking the northeast Ohio area for 17 years. The band includes two lead guitar players consisting of Terry Roan and Jammin' Paul Hively, rhythm guitarist Rick Forsythe who also treats the audience with his harmonica playing, and is anchored by drummer Mike Kane and bass guitarist Bob Hostick. The band is known for its three-part harmonies as well as its dueling lead guitarists.

Wanda Hunt Band -- With the area's hottest female vocalist, Wanda Hunt, the band is beltin' out rhythm and blues with a touch of soul backed by a very versatile rhythm section. The crowd will hear some great brass sounds, and some versatile rhythm and blues with this group.

Oct. 5

Performances begin with the Woodridge High School Marching Band starting at 12:30 p.m.

Greased Lightning -- Noted for its fabulous musicians, this group performs songs ranging from country classics to 50s and 60s Rock 'n' Roll - A virtually unlimited jukebox. Greased Lightning consists of Diana and John McDowell, Ken Burr, Rodger Sabel, Jeff Johnson and Jim Kitchen.

Tony Rio and Relentless -- Named the "Best Country Act in Northeast Ohio" year after year, Relentless brings a new life and energy to the music scene. With adrenaline-pumping power in their live shows, Relentless is a must see on this evening. The five members of Relentless are Tony Rio, Paul Lemaster, Jeff Tyson, Dig Murphy and Bob Andrews.

Joe Wendell Orchestra -- Playing authentic Austrian and German music, this group has been together for more than 30 years. They will entertain the crowds with a variety of Polkas along with Ballroom, Dixie and Showroom. They have played all over the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe.

Purple Monkey Band -- A high energy Rock 'n' Roll band rocking one stage at a time. The group performs a variety of music, including originals, old time Rock 'n' Roll, and the new hits.

On the Mall:

Flash in the Pan Steel Drum Band will perform in the evening on Oct. 3, and in the afternoon Oct. 4. Caitlin will perform Oct. 3 and Valerie Oct. 4 and Oct. 5. Bill Parthe will be strolling around playing the banjo on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 along with the River City Jazz Band on Oct. 5. Pockets the Clown and Tony the Clown will be around all weekend to entertain the children as well as Phil the Entertainer. Also returning will be the Octuba Band, Quazar the Robot and Claire will supply her magical face painting art. Matt Schafer and Gerhard Paetzel will supply accordion music on the mall. Retro will perform in the Pit Oct. 5.

Got a beautiful baby?
Rules for the Oktoberfest Baby Bee contest:

1. Child must be a resident of Cuyahoga Falls, age newborn to 3 years old.

2. Previous winners are not eligible.

3. Amateur and professional photos accepted, without frames, with a limit of three photos per child.

4. Pictures must have been taken within the last 12 months.

5. Child's name, age, date of photo, parents' name, address and phone number should be on the back of each photo.

6. Photos should be turned in to the Oktoberfest headquarters, located in the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center between 5 p.m. Oct. 3 and 10 p.m. Oct. 4.

7. Winners will be posted at headquarters at 3 p.m. Oct. 5. All pictures should be picked up after that time. Otherwise they will be discarded.

For more information, call 330-928-2568.

Proceeds from Oktoberfest are donated to:

* Cuyahoga Falls Veteran War Memorial

* Falls Cancer Club

* Scholarships to Falls and Woodridge high school

* Good Neighbors

* Clock Tower

* Cuyahoga Falls & Woodridge High School Bands

* FOCUS

* Muscular Dystrophy

* Cuyahoga Falls M & M's

* D.A.R.E.

* Cuyahoga Valley Art Center

* YMCA

* Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce

* Parks & Recreation

* Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital

* Cuyahoga Falls Library

* Cuyahoga Falls and Northampton Historical Societies

* Little Black Tigers

* Pontoon Boats

* Cuyahoga Falls High School Athletic Dept.

* Children's Network

* Cuyahoga Falls Challenger Little League

* Laybourne Sports Center

* Akron Zoo

* Boys State