“I would say obviously great weather always has an impact and we’ve had beautiful weather,” Brockman said. “I think it’s a combination of we really had beautiful weather this weekend and I think with everything that’s happened over summer in Dayton, people just want an opportunity to get out and relax, kind of get their minds off of everything that’s gone on over past few months and over summer. It’s an opportunity to come together as community.”
According to the museum, Friday’s Preview Party set attendance records, and preliminary numbers indicate record revenue for that event.
“The community’s support for this event and the museum during our centennial year has been outstanding,” said Dayton Art Institute Director and CEO Michael R. Roediger. “It’s been fantastic to welcome so many people to the museum grounds this weekend–we hope to see another record crowd on Sunday as we conclude the festival. The money raised at Oktoberfest helps support museum operations and programs throughout the year.”
Oktoberfest continues on Sunday, September 29, from noon to 7 p.m.
The ACCO Brands FamilyFest returns on Sunday, noon–4:30 p.m., with special activities for all ages in the museum and on the grounds near the museum entrance, according to a release. The museum’s collection galleries, as well as the Museum Store and Leo Bistro, will be open noon–5 p.m. Admission to the museum’s collection galleries and focus exhibitions is included in Oktoberfest admission. General admission for Oktoberfest is $10 adults, $7 seniors and youth. Children 6 and under are free.
On average, DAI’s Oktoberfest raises nearly $450,000 for critical operations. Brockman said the museum will have a clearer picture as to how successful the 2019 festival really was, early on this week. He expects this year’s Oktoberfest will have likely surpassed the $450,000 benchmark.
Making sure it remains a Dayton festival mainstay each year, the DAI has raised its own entertainment bar— adding amenities like the “TV Cave” with four big-screen TVs for guests who don’t want to miss the weekend sports action. The festival included a fully covered main stage area, food court Live music and two large tents that included more than 60 artisans and vendors.
Oktoberfest has been an ingrained Dayton tradition since 1972.
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