By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
While the rains may have stopped the musical entertainment, Galionites didn’t let that dampen their fun on the first day of the city’s annual Oktoberfest.
While the three stages of entertainment were empty and quiet Thursday evening, people still ventured down Harding Way to take in the street carnival fare featuring rides, games, and of course the food. Cameron Adams, and Keirstin Ousley were enjoying skeet ball with her nephews Rilyn, and Zyler. Adams explained what brought them out to the festival.
“I’ve lived here almost all my life, and I just come here to hang out with friends and everything and have a good time,” Adams said. “I have been helping out with taking out trash cans. I have been doing a little work out here.”
“I thought the boys would enjoy it,” Ousley added.
Playing the basketball shooting game were friends Jared Miller and Xiola Polak-Yocyn. Miller explained what brought them out to the festival.
“We just come every year,” Miller said. “We like the food.”
Polak-Yocyn said she liked the fried cheese the best, while Miller added that his favorite was the funnel cakes.
When asked if the rain bothered them this year, Miller responded, “I don’t really mind the rain.”
“I think it is the same,” Polak-Yocyn added.
Administrative assistant at the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce, Judy Dyer, noted that while the crowds were small Thursday, the Oktoberfest usually sees its largest numbers Friday and Saturday nights.
“Thursday night is kind of a slow night with sports activities, and school the next day,” Dyer said. “Of course there is a football game at home tomorrow night too, so usually after the game it gets busy,”
Isaac Babcock attended the event with his mother and shared what he enjoyed most at the festival.
“I like to come around and get food,” Babcock said. “I like the hot dogs, corn dogs and French fries.”
Weather permitting, Friday’s entertainment features nine bands across three stages, with Kobalt Kreek taking the Main Stage at 6:30 p.m. and Jessica Hannan headlining at 8:30. Stage Two will feature Rough Country at 6:30 p.m. and the Crazy Gringos headlining at 8:30. The Christian Gospel stage will feature five bands starting with Laura Hoffman at 5 p.m. and closing with “In His Name” at 9 p.m.
The music will start earlier on Saturday with Standard Time kicking off the entertainment at 1 p.m., Dick Macket and the John Vermeulen Octet at 3, Erik Gimbel Orchestra at 5, and Trust will headline at 8:30 p.m. the Main Stage. Boot Leg City will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Stage Two, with Electric Circus taking stage at 8:30. Live music will begin at 1 p.m. on the Christian Gospel Stage with “Created Music Project” and finishing with the Frank Boyd Jr. Blues Ministry taking stage at 9 p.m.