Festival attendees wait in line for dishes and desserts at a previous Octoberfest on Buell Island at Lowell. (File Photo)

LOWELL — Lowell’s Octoberfest is back this year with German food, games and entertainment.

This is the 45th year for the event which will be held Oct. 2-3 on Buell Island at Lowell.

Event committee chairman Josh Harris said it’s been a tough year getting people to help out.

“If anyone wants to help, they can contact me (740-350-3302),” he said.

They want to keep the festival going as different local groups participate, such as the Fort Frye Band Boosters and the Buckeye Allstars, and thousands of people attend, he added.

“They come for the German potato salad. We do the chicken outside on a rotisserie and we’ll do approximately 1,000 of them this year,” Harris said.

The main shelter will be the hub for all foods German with kielbasa, grilled bratwurst, corned beef reuben and sauerkraut. Whole and half-chickens will be sold, along with barbecue chicken and sauteed vegetables.

Harris said if anyone feels uncomfortable with crowds but still wants German food, people can call him and he’ll bring their order to their car. Masks are not required to attend.

The event is cash only, he added.

Along with the food, there will be a flea market and craft booths, Pampered Pet Petting Farm, children’s games, a beer garden and raffle. The raffle is $1 per chance or six for $5 with the drawing at 5 p.m. Oct. 3.

Harris said if someone wants to be a vendor at the flea market, contact him or the Octoberfest Facebook page.

“We’ll also have amusement rides and a train that will travel around the island,” Harris said. “We’ll have an inflatable for the kids and entertainment.”

A parade will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 2 and forms in the 100 block of Cats Creek Road, he said.

Something different this year is a color run and cornhole tournament through the Buckeye Allstars. The cornhole tournament is $50 per team.

Kerri Lewis, owner of The Gym Factory, said as of yet, no one has signed up for the color run.

“And only one team has wanted to enter the cornhole tournament,” she said.

This is the Allstars’ first time at the Octoberfest, although they held a cornhole tournament in the past at the Beverly-Waterford Homecoming.

“We’ve all been posting on Facebook,” Lewis said. “I find it very strange. Maybe it’s because of COVID (that people aren’t signing up). It kind of sucks. It would be a good yearly thing.”

She said she’s unsure if they are going to hold the color run, as they would have to print T-shirts and time is running out.

“People can still register for the cornhole tournament until Sept. 30,” she said. Those interested teams can reach Lewis at 740-984-8060 through the Gym Factory’s Facebook page.

Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.

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Main Stage

OCT. 2

* 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Jessica Jo and Zumbro

* 1 to 3 p.m.: Two Buds and a Slap Box

* 3 to 5 p.m.: Rockin Country Fever

OCT. 3

* 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Dark Pig

* 1 to 3 p.m.: Fluid Drive

* 3 to 5 p.m.: Hopewell