Cleveland Octoberfest

From Cleveland Octoberfest Website:

First to seize the senses is the pungent, hickory-smoked aroma of sizzling pork barbecue. Next, brightly colored craft booths grab the eye. Then, cool autumn breezes waft across the railroad tracks soothing the brow and carrying the sounds of music through the air.

This sensory overload could be nothing but OCTOBERFEST in Cleveland, Mississippi -- a thriving community in the Heart of the Mississippi Delta. In addition, Governor Barbour declared us the Mississippi Delta State Barbecue Championship!

Each year, more than 15,000 spectators gather at the city's Greenstrip -- the tree-shaded center of town, complete with an old-time gazebo and train depot -- to savor the colorful sight of art and craft booths, and taste the only true barbecue - Dixie.

Experience traditional Delta entertainment, which for over twenty-five years, has combined to produce one of the South's favorite weekend events. Organized by more than 100 volunteers who come together in the name of community spirit, OCTOBERFEST is ripe with the atmosphere of a long - ago town picnic.

There is something for everyone; children's events, including face painting, rock climbing wall, inflatables, train rides, and much more. Live music and bands will keep you entertained throughout the entire event.

Festivities begin early Friday afternoon when the BBQ teams from across the mid-South arrive to pit their pork ribs, shoulder and whole hog concoctions against other would-be "Memphis Barbecue Network" competitors. Patio Porkers teams fire up their cookin' rigs to prove who is the "Hog" of the "Anything But" category.

When the sun goes down, the winners in the Back Yard and Patio Porkers division will be announced, along with a healthy helping of live entertainment and dancin' in the street.

Shortly after 8:00 a.m., Saturday, the artisans will be bustling around preparing their wares. Concessions of all kinds will be serving up everything from bratwurst to sauce dripping BBQ. More live entertainment will continue through out the day.

At 2:00 P.M., hold on to your seat - the winners of the children's coloring and name the team contest will be announced, followed by their principals "kissing" a live pig. More than $7,500 in cash and prizes will go to the best pig cookers of the day--with the bounty awarded to the chefs steaming and smoking away around Cleveland's Old-timey Railroad Depot.

No one can walk away from this Mississippi Delta Mecca until they've eaten all the spicy - succulent pork they can hold, tapped their feet to all the music they can stand and stepped back in time at the Car Show. Come make a "pig" of yourself!!