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NEWS
Chesapeake Octoberfest gives community chance to celebrate
Paul Hart of the Chesapeake, Proctorville, Rome Lions Club cooks some steak at the 14th annual Chesapeake Octorberfest Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, in Chesapeake.
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CHESAPEAKE -- The 14th annual Chesapeake Octoberfest was more than just a fundraiser for local vendors. For many, it was a chance to celebrate their home.
"It lets you know what's in the community," said Pam Hollar, a member of the Chesapeake Area Citizens Coalition, which organizes the event. "People get so busy working. People you don't see but once a year, you see here."
Saturday's event began at 8:30 a.m. with a 5K run and continued throughout the day with a parade, vendors, live music, car show, food and more.
Tammy Roy said Octoberfest is always a good time.
"It's a day to visit with people and catch up and help the vendors. So much of this community is little businesses," she said.
Roy also has a son and daughter in the Chesapeake High School marching band, who marched in the parade. She said the event was a chance for the community to see the band in action, as it qualified for this year's state band competition.
"We're very proud of them," she said.
Teresa Carande also had a daughter in the marching band on Saturday. She said Octoberfest is a good way to show support for the community.
"We're here every year," she said.
The live music -- which included gospel and southern rock on Saturday -- is a big part of why Kim Oxley of Chesapeake comes out each year.
On Saturday morning, Oxley was walking around the event with her 6-year-old daughter, Madi, who enjoyed the inflatables, and 12-year-old son, Drew, who ran in the 5K.
"It's just a nice community event," she said. "Last year, we stayed until the last tent was down."
Octoberfest seemed to bring many families out from in and around Chesapeake, including Darrell Jenkins of South Point.
"I came out to have fun with her," Jenkins said, nodding to his 11-year-old daughter, Cheyenna Jenkins.
Cheyenna said she most enjoyed the games, animals and free gifts at Octoberfest, like the bag of school supplies slung over her arm.
"It's very fun," she said.
Hundreds of people were already in attendance before the parade on Saturday. An estimated 6,000 people attended last year, according to Hollar.
This year's event also included a petting zoo and increased involvement from the Chesapeake Volunteer Fire Department and others.
Mayor Dick Gilpin said it's become a kind of homecoming for many in the community, and more and more people want to be involved.
"We used to beg people to come to build up booths here. Now we have people calling us," he said.
For more information about Octoberfest, or for free photos of the event, e-mail Hollar at pamhollar@yahoo.com.
