WEST ALEXANDRIA — Fall festival season has definitely begun, and this weekend marks the annual autumn celebration of the Kiwanis Oktoberfest in West Alexandria.
Located in Peace Park in the village, off U.S. 35 East, the festival is this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8-9. The festival runs from 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The annual Oktoberfest parade is slated to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Immediately following the parade, there will be opening ceremonies, complete with recognition of the West Alexandria Citizen of the Year and crowning of Oktoberfest royalty.
The antique car covered bridge run will begin at noon on Sunday.
Along with games in the back of the park for children, there will be numerous contests, including pumpkin carving, scarecrow building, and a kiddie tractor pull.
There will be lots of arts and crafts for shoppers to purchase, and those wanting to “enjoy the culinary side of Oktoberfest will delight in the German fare including pork and sauerkraut, cabbage roll casserole, and also enjoy homemade apple dumplings, barbecue chicken and pork chops and much more,” according to organizers. Visitors will also be able to watch apple butter being made, and enjoy musical entertainment both days.
The Dixie Ryders will perform Saturday and Sunday, from 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Something Good will perform on Sunday, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Twin Valley South High School Career-Based Intervention Program is sponsoring the Scarecrow Scamper 5K Walk/Run & 10K Run on Saturday at 8:30 a.m., to kick off the Oktoberfest fun.
Pre-registration, with a free t-shirt, is $20 and race day registration is $25. Race day registration will begin at 7:45 a.m. in front of the LCNB National Bank. Medals will be awarded for first-third place finishers in male and female age categories. There will be a special gift for babies/toddlers being pushed in strollers by participants. Racers who register one child under age 12, will receive registration for one child under age 12 for free. Organizers say the Scamper is fun for the entire family.
Anyone interested in participating in the run should contact Robin Judd at Twin Valley South (839-4693) or visit the Twin Valley Community Local School District website, http://tvs.k12.oh.us, for registration information. Proceeds benefit the students enrolled in the CBI Program at Twin Valley South.
Additional parking for festival visitors is available at the Dow Chemical and Paramont Plastic parking lot, east of Peace Park. The lot is located east of the Marathon station on the same side of the street.
Contests include the pumpkin carving/decorating contest, and the scarecrow contest on Saturday.
Pumpkins and scarecrows should be in place by the gazebo by 2 p.m. Pumpkins must be carved and/or decorated before display at the park. Name and address of participant must be placed on a paper under the pumpkin. Stakes to hold up the scarecrows will be furnished. Name and address of participant must be placed on a paper attached to the scarecrow.
Judging for both contests will start after 2 p.m., according to organizers. Winners will be announced between 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Registration for the kiddie tractor pull will be up until 2 p.m., at the gazebo on Sunday. There is a $2 entry fee. Participants will be in age categories: 3-4 years old, 5-6 years old and 7-8 years old. The pull will start at 2 p.m.
