Those looking for an alternative scene to “The Cold War” madness this weekend can make the trek to Lansing’s Old Town for Octoberfest 2001.
Traditionally Octoberfest is a German harvest celebration, and the Lansing event will pay respects to its roots with a beer tent and traditional Polka player.
But for the most part, the music and food brew an eclectic mix that spans generations and cultures.
From Latin and blues to hard rock and Celtic, the festival’s two stages will feature 18 bands and 17 hours of music during its two-day run.
“We look forward to people having a good time and kicking this whole thing off,” said Frog of Frog and The Beeftones, whose band kicks-off the festivities at 5 p.m. today. “When we do festivals we do blues-rock stuff.
“People have a pretty good time, it’s a party band,” he added.
Food and art vendors will be around for the picking as well.
“We’re going to be having some jewelry and clothes vendors, there are handmade bowls, someone doing calligraphy, and African art, to name a few,” said Jen Ryan, an assistant festival coordinator with the Old Town Business & Art Development Association, which sponsored the festival. “There will be Thai food, Vietnamese, Mexican food - a good mix of food altogether.”
The surrounding area has several art galleries including The Creole Gallery, 1218 Turner St., and the Otherwise Gallery, 1207 Turner St.
“This is Hispanic Heritage Month, we have a group show of Hispanic artists,” said Robert Busby, owner of The Creole Gallery. “We’ll be open until 6 p.m. on Friday and at least until 8 p.m. during the festival Saturday.”
Ryan said the mix of music and attractions will draw a mixed crowd, and “The Cold War” won’t affect attendance.
“There are people coming from across town, out of town, some come from Detroit and Grand Rapids that come every year,” she said.
“The Cold War” attendants, she added, can come afterward on Saturday.
Festivities go from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and from 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Octoberfest is located on the corner of Turner Street and Grand River Avenue in Lansing’s Old Town.
Juliana Keeping can be reached at keepingj@msu.edu.
