Oktoberfest 2012 -- Dayton Art Institute

Mark your calendars for Oktoberfest 2012, September 21-23! Presented by Miller Lite, this community event proudly boasts a dazzling array of artisans, unique foods, ample domestic, international and craft beers, kid-friendly art activities, live music on two stages, delicious international wines and so much more!

Oktoberfest includes a fully covered Main Stage viewing area, an expanded Craft Beer tent with four big-screen TVs for all the weekend football action and the annual Oktoberfest Home Brew Beer Contest. The ACCO Brands FamilyFest provides free art activities for the kids, from noon – 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Don't forget about the annual Friday evening Oktoberfest Preview Party. Preview Party guests will enjoy complimentary draft beer and wine, live entertainment by Cincinnati's Soul Pocket and great socializing in a casual, less-crowded atmosphere.

Hours

Preview Party: 7 - 11 p.m.
Saturday, noon - 11p.m.
Sunday, noon - 7p.m.

Admission

Preview Party (Friday, September 21)
Advance Tickets: $45 members; $60 non-members
At the Gate: $80

Saturday/Sunday General Admission
Advance Tickets: $5 adults and seniors; $3 students (ages 7-18)
At the Gate: $7 adults; $5 for seniors; $4 for students
Children 6 and under admitted free

Online advance ticket sales for Saturday & Sunday have ended. Oktoberfest advance tickets may still be purchased through the close of business on Friday, September 21 at: the museum’s Visitor Services Desk, Arrow Wine & Spirits (all locations), Belmont Party Supply, Chappys Tap Room, Cuvee Wine Bar & Cellar, Dorothy Lane Market (all locations), and Dublin Pub. Advance tickets may also be purchased by calling 937-223-4ART (4278) during regular museum hours.

Get Social!

Join the Oktoberfest celebration on Facebook and Twitter for photos, video, special offers and exclusive updates from Oktoberfest! On Twitter, search for the hashtag #OktoberfestDayton for the latest updates.

Ten Best Places to Eat in Dayton

    Some say that Ohio is a true representative of America.  In politics, we know how Ohio goes so do most Presidential elections.  Indeed it is true that Ohio is an absolute melting pot.  Well, just as Ohio has a huge and wonderful mixture of people, so too does Ohio have a great mixture of wonderful places to eat.  Today (speaking of melting pots) I present to you the (first three of the) 10 best places to eat in Dayton:

10.  Linh’s

4770 Airway Rd
Dayton, OH 45431



Here is a sample review:
 "It's difficult to find anything authentic as far as cuisine in Dayton. I've been going to this place with my family for years, and I love it.  It's a small little place located right next to an Asian grocery store, so keep your eye out; the location isn't crazy obvious. Being close to an Air Force base, be sure to get there EARLY for lunch if you want to get a seat and beat the rush. Otherwise, be prepared to wait, inside or out. The restaurant itself is quite small, so it gets a little crowded at times.  If I had anything bad to say about their food... I'd have to comment on their selection of herb s and greens as far as the condiments for the pho, and inside their soft rolls as well. It seems as though they've completely omitted using basil. Mommy wasn't happy.  All in all, definitely try it out! You won't be disappointed.”

I would agree with this review and add that while it is a “hole in the wall” type restaurant...the food is great, and it is truly authentic.  Definitely a must if you work or live anywhere near WPAFB.

9.  Mama Disalvo’s

1375 E. Stroop Rd.

Kettering Ohio 45440

Here is a sample review:
"In Dayton, there are only 2 places to get good Italian, and the last time I was in town, the other one was closed down.  I don't know if the other place ever reopened in a new location, but Mama DiSalvos was still going strong when I was there.

I first went to Mamas in the 70s, and ate there regularly through the 90s, when I moved out of the country for a time.  I've been back every time I'm in town.  It's still the same great place, though last time I was there I'm pretty sure the boys are running it now instead of Mama.

Everything is good there but the one thing I ALWAYS try to get every time I go there is the Eggplant Sub.  I thought it was incredibly weird the first time I saw it on the menu, but . . . it was instant Nirvana! . . .

The place is small and tends to get crowded, but it is worth the visit.  If there's one thing I miss about the area, it is Mama DiSalvos.  Long may they rule!"

I love Mama Disalvo’s because it is true Italian.  A great selection and having been to Italy, I can say it is authentic.  Try it -- you’ll love it.

8.  El Toro

Various locations around Dayton











      I have to admit that I was hesitant to put this on the list because it is a semi-formidable chain, but as far as Mexican restaurants go it is not bad.  The food is inexpensive.  The portions are huge.  The wait staff is very attentive...and we seem to eat there a lot.  You might disagree with my selection of El Toro, but as far as a family friendly restaurant goes -- this one is right up there.  We go to the one on Indian Ripple Road in Beavercreek.

More selections to come tomorrow.  Enjoy!

And as always if you would like to comment about anything on this blog -- I welcome your input.

Cedarville Labor Day Fireworks

    I love Cedarville!  What a terrific little town.  If you live in Dayton, but have not visited Cedarville, you are missing out.  There are a myriad of things to do there.  This December, I’ll be posting a message about the Christmas concert put on my Cedarville University.  It is perhaps one of best concerts of the year.  The students put on a performance with ensembles from just about every type of instrument.  It really is a sight to see.
    Cedarville University also has an incredible theater group.  My family has been to a couple of their plays, and they are fantastic.  Keep an eye out for upcoming performances because Cedarville University is always putting on something good (and you know it will be family friendly because Cedarville is a Christian University that still maintains the tradition of good quality Christian education). A link to their activities website can be found here:

http://www.cedarville.edu/Cedarville-Events.aspx

    This September my family was given another huge treat.  We went to Cedarville for Labor Day and watched the fireworks.  Put on by the Cedarville Chamber of Commerce, the fireworks, parade, and fair that goes along with both, are all a part of Cedar Fest.

     A link to Cedar Fest can be found here:

http://www.cedarfest.com/

    I got a chance to record a few seconds of the fireworks, and even though these aren’t part of the finale, they show you just how awesome the fireworks display can be (for such a small town):

    Cedar Fest puts on such a fantastic fireworks display because they wait until after the 4th of July to purchase their fireworks.  By this time most of the regions other fireworks displays are over and so vendors are anxious to sell their wares as quickly as possible.  Cedarville swoops in and gets a great bargain and is therefore able to put on a display comparable to much bigger cities -- all because they can afford to purchase larger quantities at much cheaper prices.  Here is another example of fireworks from the at least 10-20 minute long demonstration:

    Why, you ask, does Cedarville put on such an incredible Labor Day celebration?  That’s because Labor Day, as we know it, would not exist were it not for Senator James H. Kyle, the “Father of Labor Day.”  He was from Cedarville Ohio and was the person responsible for putting forward a bill in Congress to recognize Labor Day.  So another reason to appreciate and celebrate Cedarville -- they brought us Labor Day.

     If you have other stories about Cedarville, or other fireworks stories you’d like to share, please let us know.  I’d love to hear from you.

Sauerkraut Festival

  Don’t forget to put this on your calendar.  May sound crazy but one of the best festivals of the year is the Waynesville Sauerkraut Festival.  This year (2012) it is held on October 13 - 14th.

http://www.sauerkrautfestival.com/

From the website:

The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival has grown from a small local event in 1970 to one of the premier craft festivals in the nation.  We jury our 450+ vendors to ensure that all items are handcrafted, and select items based on quality and variety.

Our unique food offerings range from sauerkraut pizza to fudge.  Visitors return year after year to sample their favorites, making the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival a favorite Midwest destination. 

43rd Annual Sauerkraut Festival

2012 Schedule
Saturday, October 13th 9:00am - 8:00pm
Sunday, October 14th 9:00am - 6:00pm
The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival is always held the second full weekend of October.

    We’re going to be there.  And don’t worry if you don’t like sauerkraut.  There are many other activities and fun crafts for everyone.  Believe it or not -- even for a festival celebrating sauerkraut -- this is a great place to be for everyone.

    If you have been there before, please feel free to add your two cents about the festival.  I’d love to hear from you.  I’ll update this blog after we return from the outing.

    Oh and don’t forget the cabbage roll run 5 mile race on 6 October 2012.     

Dayton's Concours D'Elegance

    It is 16 September 2012, and my family had a wonderful time today.  We went to Carillon Park and participated in the Concours D’Elegance.  The Concours is a car lover’s dream.  You could see bright, shiny, gorgeous cars from the oldest (Ford Model T) to the newest Mercedez-Benz.  Here are a few pictures of some of the cars we saw today:

    The entertainment at Carillon Park for the Concours D’Elegance was also incredible.  Below is a small clip of a band that was playing songs from the Big Band Era:

     If you get tired of looking at cars, there are always other activities that you and the children can do.  Carillon Park volunteers run a small track railroad that gives rides which last over 10 minutes and cost as little as $1.00.  Here are a few pictures from our train ride:

    Finally, don’t miss all the wonderful information on the Wright Brothers, the NCR and Mr. Patterson, as well as historic information about the Erie Canal and how it used to run through Dayton.  Below is a picture of the actual Wright Flyer III.

    If you want to learn more about the Wright Brothers and the history of Dayton, this is the place to be.   One of the most fascinating displays is as you enter the park.  The visitor’s center has a regular (every 30 minutes) presentation with animated figures representing the Wright Brothers, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Deeds, and Mr. Kettering.  If you don’t recognize those names -- trust me the are ubiquitous to Dayton -- coming here will help you understand their impact on the region.

    I highly encourage you to visit Carillon Park at any time during the year, but frankly there is no better time to visit than during the Concours D’Elegance.  It is true that the “real” concours is in Florida and car makers have to be invited to the display, but for an inexpensive outing....this Dayton extravaganza was a real treat.  

    Please let me know if you visited it as well -- and let us all know what you thought of the event.  

(for more information about the author of this page and some of his works, check out www.excusemywhat.com -- this is especially true if you’d like to learn a new language)

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