U2S6B1F011 – (L-R) Dale McCarthy and "Bird" Bidwell (R)

Originally uploaded by Cincinnati State Archives

I’m not sure what awaits these gentleman at the end of their elevator ride, but I’m going to say they are on their way to Bockfest. Who is going this weekend? The rain may dampen our hair but it won’t dampen our spirits! For the unintiated, “Bockfest is a celebration of historic Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati’s brewing heritage and the coming of spring. There are several bock beer festivals that take place around the world, but Cincinnati’s Bockfest is the oldest and largest in the United States. Bockfest traditionally occurs during the first weekend of March. It begins with a parade on Friday evening that starts at Arnold’s Bar & Grill, Cincinnati’s oldest saloon. The parade is lead by a goat pulling a keg of bock beer and the reigning Sausage Queen. It ends at Bockfest Hall where the ceremonial first keg is blessed and Bockfest officially begins. The Hall is open throughout the weekend and features live entertainment, great food, historic walking tours, authors and breweriana, a homebrew competition, Continental Sunday celebrations and lots of delicious bock beer. Bockfest is not just limited to the Hall. It occurs in a number of participating venues in Over-the-Rhine and the central business district. There is no admission fee for the hall and typically no admission fee for the participating venues. (If a venue charges a fee, it will be indicated on the event schedule.) A free shuttle bus runs a continuous loop around locations.” (taken from the official site: http://www.bockfest.otrbrewerydistrict.org/)
There is some interesting historcial info on the site HERE, because history is what we’re all about.
See you there!