There will be something for everyone at Austin’s second annual Octoberfest at the Mill Pond on Saturday.

Monday, October 02, 2000

There will be something for everyone at Austin’s second annual Octoberfest at the Mill Pond on Saturday.

With food, drinks, games, raffles, crafts, clowns, music and walkaround magic, organizers have planned for a little bit of everything.

"The children love the face painting and games, the men usually head for the beer and brats and lots of women like the flea market part of it," organizer Phyllis Johnson said. "We’ve fine-tuned it a bit since last year, so we’re hoping even more people will turn out for the day."

Music, of course, will be a big part of the Octoberfest, seeing that it’s one of three major fund raisers put on by the Women’s Association of the Austin Symphony Orchestra (WAASO). It won’t be classical music though, or the polka music often associated with such festivities. Bluegrass might come closer to describing the musical styles of the two bands – Adams’ Eve and Mindy Rietz and Friends.

Johnson said the music will be a "comfortable constant" throughout the day, describing Rietz’s "mellow guitar" and Adams’ Eve tendency to remind one of John Mellencamp.

Rietz is more familiar to the Austin area than Adams’ Eve, a band that boasts of "more than 100 years of musical experience between them."

Johnson is hoping for a fine day and a fine turnout. Last year, between 700 and 800 people came to the first event. WAASO is, however, equally prepared for bad weather; in case of rain, the event will be held in Crane Pavilion at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

"We’re hoping we’ll be at least as successful as last year," Johnson said, "although I guess that was a really good turnout for a first-time event.

"But why shouldn’t a lot of people turn out? Even a smaller town like Austin should be able to have its own Octoberfest."

Admission to the festivities will cost $2 a person, with all profits from the day going to WAASO, which eventually will donate the funds to the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Symphony manager Marge Dunlap said she’s keeping her fingers crossed for good weather, because WAASO with their three fund raisers – the Octoberfest, the Symphony Tea in January and the Symphony Ball in April – are the orchestra’s biggest contributor. Last year WAASO gave $12,000 to the orchestra.

"It will be a good time for a good cause," Johnson said. "Rain or shine."

On Mill Pond

– Octoberfest will be celebrated from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday behind the library by the Mill Pond. Admission is $2 per person.

In case of rain, the festivities will be moved to Crane Pavilion at the Mower County Fairgrounds.