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7th annual Octoberfest is a success despite stormy start

By Staff | Mar 16, 2010
Andrea Galabinski Loyal Octoberfest fans braved more than stormy weather to attend the kick-off of Octoberfest in March at the Shell Factory. Pictured are David and Audrey Schommer and Jerry and Rosie Voelker, both couples from Wisconsin, with button accordion player Ken Nicol.
Andrea Galabinski Polka fans came from all over the U.S. and Canada for the event. Pictured are polka ladies Evelyn Cunningham, Ohio and Fla. ; Evamarie Enlano, MI; Karen Rochon, WI and FL; Irene Ostanek, Canada; Barb Kisly, Penn.; Millie Gardo, Cape Coral; Chic Bauer SC; and Hilda Parsons, Penn.

The Octoberfest In March Celebration kicked off Friday at the Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers and ran through Sunday.

Despite Friday’s area power outages and flooding from heavy rains, many loyal Octoberfest and polka fans turned out for the event kickoff, and many others enjoyed the fun during the rest of the beautiful weekend.

It was the seventh annual event to benefit Cape Coral’s Christ Lutheran Church’s charitable work. Food and craft vendors were more than busy, and of course, there was great polka music.

Some of the biggest names in polka attended. They included three-time grammy award winner Walter Ostanek, known as “Canada’s Polka King” and Bob Kravos, great nephew of famed polka master Frank Yankovic. Jeff Winard and others groups, including the Florida Tropical Squeeze Six-piece Slovenian Band, performed.