Oktoberfest plans in high gear
Plans for the chamber’s 4th Annual Ramona Oktoberfest are in high gear with Chairwoman Charlotte Jensen and her committee scheduling nonstop fun from opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, through the Earl Flores Band Diego from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Singer Tim Flannery, whom some remember from his days as a San Diego Padres player and coach, is the headline entertainment from 8 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. Currently third-base coach for the San Francisco Giants, Flannery is a favorite in San Diego concert venues during baseball’s off-season. His talent as a musician has taken him all over the country and as far away as Ireland.
Flannery has produced almost a dozen CDs featuring a variety of styles. His music, much of it written by him, ranges from bluegrass and folk to soft rock and roll and spiritual. Often, a variety of musical friends take the stage with him.
General admission tickets to Flannery’s concert are $5 each. Reserved table seating for eight is $65 and reserved table seating for four is $45. Advance tickets and table information are available at the chamber office at 960 Main St. and at Oktoberfest. Tickets will be sold at the gate, but seating is limited, so Jensen encourages purchasing them in advance.
Oktoberfest festivities, presented by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce, will be at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center off Fifth Street and Aqua Lane.
New this year are a Pumpkin Cook-off sponsored by the Ramona Parks and Recreation Association, a Pumpkin Carving Contest sponsored by Union Bank of California, and a Coloring Contest sponsored by the Ramona Sentinel. Pumpkin carving entries will be on display in the bank at 1512 Main St. until Oktoberfest.
Beer Garden entertainment will be steady throughout Oktoberfest. Linda Hibbert, Kash Kings, Gordon Kohl, the Rumblers, Barnett & Ramona Lutheran Children, Bavarian Beer Garden Band, ACToRS, Chargers versus Buffalo Bills on a Sears’ big-screen television, Baja Blues Boys, and Kyell Holmes are among the scheduled entertainment.
Stone Brewery and Pamo Valley Winery will man the traditional Bavarian Beer Garden, and traditional Bavarian accordion musicians will add to the flavor of the event. Event Chair Jensen promises lots of “pretty wenches.”
Christiansen Amusements will stage the Kinderfest rides, and there promises to be plenty of commercial and craft vendors, great food and fun for everyone in the family, a pumpkin patch, face paining and more.
A People’s Choice Car Show will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Ramona Disposal Service is Oktoberfest’s Main Event Sponsor. In addition to sponsors already mentioned, other sponsors include EPS Lumber, Viejas Casino, Jewelry World & Loan, Security Plumbing, Dr. Grant Liske, DDS, Sign-A-Rama, Seidl’s Party Supplies & Rentals, and Sempra Energy, the Pumpkin Patch sponsor. For more information, call Jensen at 445-8571 or the chamber at 789-1311.
Oktoberfest will be from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 18 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 19