What has become an autumn tradition in Greenfield will be revived Saturday, Sept. 30 when Grow Greater Greenfield (G3) hosts its seventh annual Oktoberfest.
Activities get underway at 5:30 p.m. with the breaking of the pretzel in front of the bier garten.
“We have two great big pretzels and G3 committee members just grab them, rip them apart and throw them out for everyone to share, and that’s how the festival starts,” said Shari Royse-Bellar, a G3 committee member. “It’s a celebration of the end of summer and the arrival of a new season.”
At 6 p.m. there will be a Doxie Derby – or race between dachshund dogs – at the corner of Mirabeau and Washington streets. Music will start at the same time with a mix of German and polka, old favorites and classics provided by Kroaky’s Karaoke and DJ.
At 6:30 p.m. there will be a German cake/dessert contest. Royse-Bellar said anyone can enter and should have their items at the contest area by 5 p.m.
A rubber chicken toss contest will also begin at 6:30 p.m. The first half hour is for kids ages 6 and under. Then it is grades 1-4 at 7 p.m., grades 5-8 at 7:30 p.m., grades 9-12 at 8 p.m., seniors at 8:30 p.m. and an open class at 9 p.m.
At 7 p.m. there will be root beer mug races at the straw maze area.
Throughout the evening there will be barrel train rides, pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, face painting, a bounce house, a German Food Fair Fest where the Greenfield Lions Club will be selling all kinds of German food, the John Baal Memorial Bier Garten, a cake walk, straw maze and live music.
Grow Greater Greenfield is an organization dedicated to improving life in and around downtown Greenfield. The group first convened on Nov. 18, 2010. The early sessions were facilitated with the help of the Voinovich School at Ohio University, which helped guide the group through evaluation of strengths and weaknesses of the community, brainstorming, agreement on geographical territory through the establishment of goals, a mission statement, and a vision for the community, a G3 news release said.
Recently, the group has merged with the Heritage Ohio, Main Street USA program and had several meetings to establish new goals with a focus on downtown revitalization and promotion of the assets, rich history, and natural resources available in the Greenfield area.
Royse-Bellar said the eventual goal is to hire a Main Street director.
“We will have more opportunity, with the resources and assistance available, and are very excited about the future of G3 and Greenfield,” the news release said. “We have a few new things in the works. If anyone would like to be a part of G3 and participate, please contact any board member.”
Speaking of Oktoberfest, Royse-Bellar said, “We want to invite every down. It’s a great time and there’s something for everyone right here in beautiful downtown Greenfield.”
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or [email protected].
