Der Glockenspiel
The Glockenspiel has become a much beloved fixture at the Oktoberfest. When the hour strikes, the music kicks in and smoke machines billow. With all the jubilance of a night on Bourbon Street, Oktoberfest revelers gather round the flashing lights of the Glockenspiel. Like birds from a cuckoo clock, the slapdancing Schuhplattlers emerge dressed as nuns, old men, monks, or just dressed like themselves. They get the audience to participate in an irreverant dance, often inviting the likes of the Jaeger or Budweiser Girls up to dance with them (wonder why). At routine's end, they loose a hail of souvenirs upon those gather round the Glockenspiel. From beads, to frisbees, t-shirts, keychains and more, Oktoberfest keepsakes rain down so liberally that you'd have to be uncoordinated not to catch something.... But this is Oktoberfest, so there are a lot of people who don't catch anything.

And be sure not to miss the Celebrity Bead Toss, where local notables rock the Glock, and the souvenirs are worth double*. Besides, it's not often you get to see the likes of Dick Goddard or Robin Swoboda doing the bobble-head dance to German Techno Pop or Lady Gaga. Should you have a camera, you may even capture footage suitable for blackmail. If you're feeling low, or don't feel like dancing, try some of the tri-colored flag shots sold from the concession stand under the Glockenspiel. Trust us, they'll help you get your groove on... though we can't promise that you'll be able to get it off, so drink repsonsibly.

Fun Fact: The Glockenspiel is actually a working clock.

* Souvenirs may not be worth double.

sand sculptor carl jara
Website: artcleveland.com

Local prodigy Carl Jara is now a World Champion! Having grown up on the sunny shores of Mentor, OH, he had all the advantages: shale, rocks, a rusty bucket.... Okay, he didn't have any advantages. All the more amazing is it then, that Jara, having entered himself in the largest master's sand sculpture competition in the world, comprised of 72 sculptors in three divisions, plus sculptures from two former contests, won the whole shooting match and emerged as World Champion. The competition took place in the Canadian Rockies at the foot of a glacial lake in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia. For more info on Jara and tons of photos of his work, visit Carl's site.

When he heard that the Cleveland Pops would be performing Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries, in addition to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, at the 2010 Cleveland Oktoberfest, a light went on for Carl, who apparently loves a challenge. How he will go about creating flying horses out of sand is anybody's guess, but Carl's work alone is worth the price of admission. To watch Carl work with accompaniment by the Cleveland Pops... well, that's a pretty good deal.

Recently featured on The Travel Channel, Carl Jara has won just about every honor there is to win as a master sand sculptor. In addition to having been named 2008's World Champion, he is the only sculptor ever to have won more than one Sculptors Choice Award at the World Championships -- receiving the honor an unheard of four times in the last six years. Carl took home his fourth Solo medal at the 2006 World Championships, and two years ago, as a member of team Grain Damaged, Carl won Sand Blasters' Best Recovery Award with then teammate, Kirk Rademaker, after suffering a blast in the first round. Note: If "suffering a blast in the first round" doesn't mean anything to you, visit Sand Blasters, or check out the following videos from You Tube:

FRISCH MARIONETTE COMPANY
Website: frischmarionettes.com

When:
Saturday: 1PM-2PM and 4PM-5PM
Sunday: 1PM-2PM and 4PM-5PM
Monday: 1PM-2PM

To call a production by The Frisch Marionette Company a puppet show would be like calling the Indy 500 "some cars driving." Not too many puppeteers have found themselves featured on Showtime and in People magazine. Frisch has been featured in both. In terms of staging, lighting, artistry, and originality, Frisch transcends the usual, and ventures into the extraordinary, mesmerizing children and adults alike with their productions. Doubters need only visit the Testimonials section of the Frisch website, where words and phrases like, "enthralling", "...best school performance I have seen in my 21 years of teaching," "Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!," and "The children were spellbound" are the norm. This type of entertainment is rare. This quality of entertainment is even rarer.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

The Frisch Marionette Company began as all good things do, with a thought, a dream and a committed passion to making that dream real. We could say that the beginning of the Frisch Marionettte Company goes all the way back to a childhood puppet show whose impression never ended. That would be true, but it was much later, after many years meandering through the arts that Kevin Frisch rediscovered the beauty, the challenge and satisfaction of puppetry.

By 1986 Kevin had moved to New York City and joined Nicolas Coppola and The Puppetworks of Brooklyn. Working with the many talented puppeteers at the Puppetworks, Kevin developed his own art, craft and skills as a puppeteer and artist. The next nine years were spent touring the New York Metropolitan area as well as performing in The Puppetworks permanent theatres in Brooklyn and Macy's Herald Square.

In 1995 Kevin moved back to Cincinnati to begin what is today The Frisch Marionette Company. Working with a talented team of puppeteers and artists, Kevin has established The Frisch Marionettes as an exceptional entertainment and educational experience for children and adults alike.

Working primarily with marionettes, The Frisch Marionette Company performs in the traditional styles of 19th Century European Puppetry. Drawing inspiration from the great Europeon troupes such as the Salzburg Marionette Theatre, we endeavour to bring one of the great old world arts to young, contemporary imaginations.

Every aspect of a Frisch Marionette production is designed, handcrafted, created and recorded in our own workshops. Each and every puppet is handcarved, every costume is sewn and custom tailored for each character. We take great pride in our craft, but we're even more proud of the excited, twinkling eyes of wonder that surround us at the end of each performance.

MASSKRUGSTEMMEN CONTEST

the oktoberfest 5k bier run

Sponsors:
   
          

At Oktoberfest, we care about your health. Really, we do. In fact, we were just talking about it the other day, how we care about your health. So before you gobble that giant creampuff, or guzzle your first Hofbrau, we suggest that you go for a little run--or walk if it suits you. In fact, you're welcome to crawl the course... just so long as you pay your entrance fee.

Before you think us too greedy, keep in mind that proceeds from the race will go to benefit both The Altenheim Skilled Nursing Facility as well as the Alzheimers Association. As we go about our daily lives, we all too easily forget how difficult life can be for seniors. Buying groceries, driving, doing laundry, paying bills and bathing are all things we take for granted. Watching commercials for miracle pills and living in fear of hospital bills, the elderly often find themselves slipping into worlds of quiet desperation. At Oktoberfest, we believe that we can't reasonably call ourselves an advanced society if we deprive those so instrumental in building society as we know it of a means by which to spend their advanced years in dignity. That said, if your legs can still carry you 5 kilometers, your participation in the Bier Run will do a great deal of good for those whose legs can't. You'll also burn a few calories, which never hurts.

If improving your health and helping others in need doesn't do it for you, with your entry, you'll also get a Mapleside Farms goody bag and a lovely Oktoberfest Bier Run T-Shirt--perfect for all occassions. Whether lounging around the house, out on the town, or entertaining clients in the board room, all eyes will be on you in your spiffy Oktoberfest Bier Run T-Shirt. In fact, we're so sure you'll like it, we've put it in writing: "If your Bier Run T-Shirt doesn't accentuate your finer features whilst hiding those trouble areas better than any T-Shirt you've ever worn, our name isn't Oktoberfest... so you'd better run faster."

Click here to open the Oktoberfest Bier Run entry form.

ABOUT THE ALTENHEIM

Since 1892, many thousands of people, from all ethnic and religious backgrounds have called the Altenheim home. Still strongly supported by the German-American community, the caring commitment of the administration, staff, and volunteer leadership have helped Altenheim become renown as one of the finest senior living communities in Northeast Ohio. Those associated with the Altenheim take great pride in its distinguished history of accomplishments, and in their commitment to service for over 100 years in an ever-changing environment. To find out more, visit The Altenheim website.

celebrity Keg tapping
Each year Oktoberfest invites a celebrity from either the community or the national stage to tap its first keg, and this year, that celebrity will be.... Well, you'll just have to come to Oktoberfest and find out... or you could text message someone who is at the festival, but that's not near as much fun!