Celebrate fall at Minerva’s Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 1, noon-7 p.m., in Municipal Park, with live music, food, fine crafters, children’s activities, contests for all ages, and craft breweries. There is no admission fee for the festival.
The day’s activities will begin with a Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 9 a.m.-noon, in the park, organized by Minerva Memory Makers. For more information about the walk, contact Theresa Linder, 330-205-5561.
Live music begins at noon with The Polka Pirates, playing polkas and other tunes, followed by the T. Free & the Panic Attacks, at 3 p.m. Bands are sponsored by Minerva Welding & Fabricating, the Hart Mansion Restaurant, AAM Metal Forming – Minerva Manufacturing Facility, and Consumers National Bank.
Family activities will include free pumpkin painting, sponsored by Gionino’s Pizzeria, a free hayride, sponsored by Huebner Chevrolet/Subaru, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, goats to pet, a Lost French Golf scavenger hunt sponsored by Bartley Funeral Home with a gold nugget grand prize, panning for gold with the Gold Prospector’s Association of America, pumpkin bowling, and more.
Entries for the pie-baking contest, sponsored by Entre Nous, must be in by noon, with adult, teen and youth categories. The beer stein slide returns this year, and will be open throughout the festival. Registration for sack races, sponsored by Real Integrity Real Estate Services – Brandy Berry, will begin at 1:30 p.m., and at 2 p.m., races for all ages will get under way.
Next up will be the first ever Beard and Moustache Contest, sponsored by Crosspoint Barber Shop, at 2:30 p.m., and A Dress-Your-Dog contest will take place at 4 p.m., with prizes for the top three cutest costumed dogs. Registration for Dress Your Dog opens at 3:30 p.m.
The beer-stein lifting contest, sponsored by Summit Glove, and will be held at the stage at approximately 5:30 p.m., with divisions for men and women. The person who can hold a full beer stein parallel to the ground with an extended arm for the longest time will be proclaimed the winner, receiving a hand-thrown beer stein, donated by Market Street Art Spot resident artist Laura Donnelly.
A Duck Race will take place in Sandy Creek in the park at 6 p.m., benefiting the Roxy Theatre. First prize is $200, sponsored by Real Integrity Real Estate Services; second, $100, sponsored by Minerva Area YMCA; and third, $50, sponsored by Minerva Welding and Fabricating. Ducks are $5 each, or $20 for five ducks, and are available in the Chamber office or at the park the day of the festival
A variety of food choices will be available, as well as craft beers from Sandy Springs Brewing Company, Aeonian Brewing Company, Paradigm Shift Brewing, and Maize Valley Brewery.
Crafters, businesses, and community groups will have wares for sale and information available throughout the festival.
For more information, call the Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce office at 330-868-7979, or e-mail [email protected].