Oktoberfest this weekend at Liberty Home Association


How to go

What: Liberty Home German Association’s Oktoberfest

When: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2

2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3

1 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4

Where: Liberty Home German Association, 2361 Hamilton Cleves Road

Cost: $3 admission, free for those under 14

More info: libertyhome.net/oktoberfest_2011.html

HAMILTON — Food lines will be long and the beer lines longer as Hamilton’s Oktoberfest kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday.

The three-day festival, hosted by Liberty Home German Association, will have the same vendors and entertainment as last year, including Jägermeister and wine booths and a Spaten sponsorship, said Richard Heitsman, group president.

German food served includes bratwurst, sauerkraut, potato salad, Limburger cheese and cream puffs. The food is homemade three days prior to the event and typically sells out by the end.

“It’s always a fun thing to drag on three to four months,” Heitsman said of the planning.

Heitsman said the group is gearing up for anticipated high temperatures after the National Weather Service in Wilmington issued a hazardous weather alert active for Labor Day weekend. Heitsman said plenty of water will be available, as well as some indoor seats.

The festival’s dance and music groups include Alpen Echoes on Friday; Gerhard Albinus and the Klaberheads on Saturday; and Alte Kameraden and the Schnapps Band on Sunday.

The opening ceremony at 4 p.m. Saturday will include a march of flags and tapping of the keg.

Erika Klaber, business manager and leader of the Franz Klaber Orchestra said the 81-year-old family band has performed at Hamilton’s Oktoberfest for 25 years. The band was founded by her grandfather, a German immigrant.

“We do the whole circuit,” Klaber said of German festivals in places such as Cincinnati, Germania, and Minster. “It’s really exciting and it’s so great cities are still keeping that with all the budget cuts.”

Klaber said the band plays a mix of traditional music and modern songs the band has “Germanized,” such as the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”

The band, also known as the Klaberheads, will play Saturday. For a full schedule, visit Liberty Home Association online.

“We love to perform and get the audience involved,” Klaber said.

Other entertainment includes rides, games and live music.

Heitsman said the association does profit from the event but did not reveal how much. He said it’s enough to support the association through the year with things such as electric bills and donations to organizations such as One Way Farm in Fairfield.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or hpoturalski@coxohio.com.

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