A decade of Oktoberfest Findlay!

FINDLAY — All things Oktoberfest — traditional music, polka dancing, authentic German food and beer and a variety of contests — will return this year as highlights of Oktoberfest Findlay!, set for Saturday. This year marks the 10th year for the family-friendly festival that has become one of the largest single-day events in Hancock County. It is expected to draw nearly 7,000 people to the area. Hours are 2-10:30 p.m. on South Main Street between Main Cross and Hardin streets. The event will be held rain or shine. The Hancock Historical Museum organizes the annual festival which is presented by Premier Bank, the signature sponsor for the past several years. Many of the activities people have enjoyed in the past will return including a contest stage, the main stage with musical acts and room for dancing. Kicking off the entertainment at 2 p.m. will be the Toledo-based polka band DynaBrass at the main stage, sponsored by LaRiche Chevrolet Cadillac. In recent years, DynaBrass has become one of the most acclaimed Polish-American polka bands in America and has received or been nominated for 15 Polka Music Awards from the International Polka Association and the United States Polka Association since 2016. Children of all ages will enjoy German crafts and games in Kinderplatz/Kids' Zone located in Dorney Plaza. Activities, from 2-7 p.m., are being sponsored by Superior Trim. The opening ceremonies and official tapping of the firkin will take place at 4 p.m. Throughout the day, guests will enjoy a selection of authentic and themed German cuisine from Findlay and Ohio vendors including Schmidt's Sausage Haus and Saum's Market. The festival will also feature over 50 different styles of German import, craft and domestic beers, in addition to wine and seltzers, with 10 regional craft breweries in attendance. Fred Ziwich and his International Sound Machine will return to the Oktoberfest Findlay! main stage at 6:30 p.m. Ziwich is known as just about the most versatile musician ever on the Cleveland polka scene. Their recording of "Let's Get Festive," won the award for "Best German Recording of 2013" from the Polka American Corp. and the best "Polka/Variety Recording" as voted on by the listeners of 247PolkaHeaven.com, the World's Polka Network. Ziwich was elected as a lifetime achievement winner for the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame in 2019. In 2017, he was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame. The main stage where the musical acts will perform will be located on the north end of the festival grounds at Main Cross Street, while the contest stage will be at the south end at Hardin Street. The festival will feature a variety of adult contests from 5-9 p.m., sponsored by Findlay Brewing Co. Contests include stein holding, an obstacle relay course and a bratwurst eating competition. Attendees can sign up to participate near the contest stage starting at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for those 21 and older and $3 for those under 21. Children in strollers are free. A valid ID is required. OktoberFest Findlay! is a cash-only event — several ATMs will be available outside of the festival site. The schedule for the day is as follows: 2 p.m. - Welcome to Oktoberfest Findlay!, all entrances open 2-6 p.m. - DynaBrass, north stage 2-7 p.m. - Kinderplatz Kids Zone, Dorney Plaza 3 p.m. - Contest sign-ups open, south stage 4 p.m. - Official tapping of the Oktoberfest Firkin, south stage 5 p.m. - Stein endurance contest, south stage 5:15 p.m. - Team beer endurance contest, south stage 5:30pm - Beer tray obstacle course, south stage 6 p.m. - Bratwurst eating contest, south stage 6:30 p.m. - Stein endurance contest, south stage 6:30-10:30 p.m. - Fred Ziwich and The International Sound Machine, north stage 6:45 p.m. - Team beer endurance contest, south stage 7 p.m. - Kinderplatz Kids Zone closes; beer tray obstacle course, south stage 7:30 p.m. Stein endurance contest, south stage 7:45 p.m. - Team beer endurance contest, south stage 8 p.m. - Beer tray obstacle course, south stage 8:30 p.m. - Bratwurst eating contest, south stage 9 p.m. - Contest winners awards presentation, south stage 10 p.m. Last beer tickets sold 10:15 p.m. - Last alcohol served 10:30 p.m. - Festival closes More information and volunteer sign up can be found at www.oktoberfestfindlay.com.