Oktoberfest at the Diamond sparkles

NILES -- It may still be September, but hundreds turned out Saturday to celebrate Oktoberfest and embrace Bavarian festival traditions brought to America -- beer, food, music, clothing, contests and a festive social gathering -- more than a century ago.

The 11th annual family-friendly event, hosted by the Trumbull County Historical Society (TCHS), relocated this year from its downtown Warren location to 7 17 Credit Union Field at Eastwood. With the move, it was rebranded as Oktoberfest at the Diamond.

"The move has given us a new opportunity to build on what Oktoberfest has become while creating an even better experience for our guests, breweries, food vendors and partners," said Ryan MacLennan, Director of Operations and Outreach at the Trumbull County Historical Society, who helped organize Saturday’s event. "We are really excited to see where this new chapter takes the event."

Hannah Ferguson, owner of DOPE Cider House & Winery, has been involved with TCHS's Oktoberfest since she opened her business four years ago in the Penguin City Brewing building in downtown Youngstown.

"With Oktoberfest, I get to see a different culture and get to celebrate a festivity of that culture. I enjoy it every year. This year is extra special because we’re in a new location, coming out to Niles, and being here at the Scrappers Field is really cool and a nice change."

Besides beers made by a variety of area craft breweries and cider, the TCHS Oktoberfest also had the Youngstown Saxon Club Band perform traditional brass band favorites, food such as German potato salad, sauerkraut on bratwurst and spaetzle (noodles) plus activities for kids that included grape stomping and blowing the long, traditional alphorn.

Contests for the adults included grape stomping, beer stein hoisting and best costume.

Adam Keck of Modern Methods Brewing Company in downtown Warren made a beer specifically for the event.

"I took our house pilsner, Panther Town, and put it with some American chinook hops for a couple days. My thinking was we are in America and it’s a German tradition, so kind of like blending the two American craft beers," he said.

When the event was held in Warren, Mayor Doug Franklin tapped the keg of the specially-crafted beer to open the festivities. With the new location Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz did the honor.

Besides making the Oktoberfest brew, Keck's Modern Methods had a table with other beers. It was part of a lengthy row that included Birdfish Brewing Co. of Columbiana, Noble Creature Wild Ales & Lagers in Youngstown, Biker Brewhouse in Austintown, 1547 Project in Cortland, Paladin in Austintown and Dope Cider House and Winery, plus regional brewers Bell Tower in Kent, Thirsty Dog in Akron and Brew Kettle, which has production site in Middleburg Heights.

"One of the things we've tried to do at the Trumbull County Historical Society is make history part of the community rather than something that exists only inside a museum," MacLennan said. "Oktoberfest has become one of our biggest opportunities each year to bring people together, introduce people to the Historical Society who might not otherwise walk through our doors, and raise money that supports the work we do throughout the year. After 11 years, it has become a tradition of its own for us."

Supplying some background on its origins, he said, "Oktoberfest itself has a long history. The original celebration began in Munich in 1810 as part of the festivities surrounding the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese. It developed over time into the annual festival we recognize today. German immigration and German-American communities carried many of those food, beer, and festival traditions throughout the United States."

Taking part in the grape stomping contest as well as dancing to the music and having an infectiously joyful time with her friends, Ashley Stevens of Champion brought up what got her to Oktoberfest and what keeps her going.

"We are friends with the owners of Modern Methods. So, that’s how we heard about it. We started going and we found out that they do grape stomping and (beer) stein holds, all these competitions. We’re a very competitive group of people. So, we showed up and just started competing."

She pointed out that her team has lost every year, but that hasn't dampened their enthusiasm for the event.

The fun and interactions of Stevens' Team Hold on to Your Schnitzel with everyone around them related to Keck's view of what Oktoberfest really does each year.

"We make beer and beer's about community. Eventually, it gets to be about drinking a beer at places that you like, enjoying people’s company and building what we consider the things that make our towns a nice place to live."