EAST LIVERPOOL — The 14th annual Oktoberfest, a family friendly community event held yearly by the Calcutta and East Liverpool Rotary clubs, returns to Thompson Park where it has been held every year on Sept. 27 from noon to 8 p.m.

Rotary member and event organizer David Bickerton describes the event as a super family event that the organizations work to make cost effective so families can hang out all day, play and enjoy themselves without breaking the bank.

“We try to do everything possible to incorporate kids and make sure there is a lot of stuff there for them to do,” Bickerton said.

Bickerton noted this year, the event will feature several new items for kids to do such as a petting zoo. The bounce house, obstacle course and inflatable slide will be returning features. Additionally, there will be face painting, pumpkin painting and clowns making balloon animals.

While admission, parking and shuttle service is free for the event, some of the activities may have an additional charge. The children’s play area with the inflatables and petting zoo is $5 per child. The $5 covers a wrist band for the child and gets them access all day to the area where they can hang out all day and have fun. Pumpkin painting is $5 to cover the cost of the pumpkin.

For the adults there will also be new items this year including an axe throwing truck where adults can step into a cage and learn how to throw an axe at a target. There is an additional charge for the axe throwing, but Bickerton did not have the price to release at the time he provided the rest of the information.

The Oktoberfest will have its usual food and alcohol selections available for purchase as well as the custom beer commemorative beer mugs in half and full liter sizes.

“This year we have a lot of great partnerships with area businesses that help make the event possible,” Bickerton said. “Three local businesses — Prime Healthcare, Fairway GMC and Wesbanco — will serve as our Event Sponsors.”

The event will also have a 50/50 raffle and basket raffle. Tickets are $1 each and will be available all day. The drawings will be held at the end of the event and winners need not be present.

Proceeds from the event will provide scholarships to graduating students from Beaver Local and East Liverpool City Schools and also go to help local non-profits such as F.I.S.H., Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Ups for Downs, and more.

Food vendors for the event this year include Ziggy’s concessions; Deno’s Delights; Chuck’s Gyros; Stokes Wood Fired Pizza; Sweet Amelia’s macarons and La Palma Mexican Food truck.

There will also be a large selection of seasonal craft beers and wines including Miller Lite; Sam Adams -OctoberFest; Southern Tier – Pumpking; Angry Orchard – Crisp Apple Cider; Market Garden – Prosperity Wheat; Garage Beer – Lime; Dogfish Head – Punkin Ale; Market Garden – Old Zahm Oktoberfest; Lagunitas – IPA; Downeast – Pumpkin Cider; Suncruiser – vodka iced tea; High Noon- Vodka Seltzer.

Available wines will include Moscato, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Oktoberfest will take place rain or shine.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com