Octobrewfest sees some sunshine

The weather was certainly a factor in the fifth annual Oktobrewfest being a popular event this past Saturday.

Though recent years have seen cold and rain for the event, this years had warmer temperatures and at least a bit of sunshine.

Main Street President Suzanne Samelson said based on the amount of mugs, drink tickets and food sold it's estimated about 400 people attended the event.

While beer certainly is a big part of Oktobrewfest - as three different distributors and more than 20 craft beers were present - activities such as the cornhole tournament, bounce house, giant checkers and tic-tac-toe, a colorable mural provided by the Smoking Waters Art Guild and dance performance from Hot Springs Dance LLC are reminders that the event is also geared toward family fun.

Samelson said it's also great to see such collaboration among different entities and individuals, and noted Oktobrewfest also provided an opportunity to show off the cleanup work in Bicentennial Park.

While this work is related to Main Street, Samelson said it actually sprang from a recent place making workshop.

Main Street Treasurer Meri Ann Rush said Oktobrewfest went really well this year, and she heard comments that the music was great and people enjoyed the activities available for children.

Though a date has not been set, Samelson looks forward to doing Oktobrewfest again next year.