Food, fun to highlight Oktoberfest

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

BATESVILLE — Batesville's 2nd Friday Downtown Wander and Wonder Walk continues on Friday. The October Walk takes place during Main Street Batesville's month-long Oktoberfest, so an expanded lineup of activities is scheduled.

Most Main Street businesses and some businesses on the fringes of Main Street remain open until 8 p.m., and many offer special sales and bargains.

The increasingly popular Pocket Park will host three free performances:

◊6 p.m. - UACCB Renaissance Club performing Renaissance dances in costume

◊7 p.m. - The Dance Troupe from Batesville Ballet

◊8 p.m. - Batesville Community Theater

Refreshments will be available at the Pocket Park all evening, including bratwurst, hot dogs, German potato Salad and beverages. Prices range from $2 to $5.

The UACCB Renaissance Club is a student organization that educates the community about the history of the Renaissance through demonstrations and performances.

The dances they perform are historically accurate; members of the audience will be invited to participate.

Dancers include Sherry Landers, Camille Wade, Lee Hissong, Cassidy Nelson, and Amber Donellan. Marla Bennett is the group's faculty advisor.

The Batesville Area Arts Council will host a gallery opening beginning at 5 p.m. tolaunch a retrospective exhibit by local artist Marie Garvey. Her painting, The Temptation of St. Anthony, was an award winner in an exhibit sponsored by the art honorary at her alma mater, the University of Illinois.

Fowler paints regularly with the arts council's Friday painters group.

The exhibit runs through Saturday, Oct. 18.

MorningSide Coffeehouse, 616 Harrison, will continue its free monthly animation screenings with a program of Betty Boop cartoons.

The unflappable flapper was created by Max Fleischer, also known for creating Popeye. Betty Boop ruled the screens in the 1930s with her zany antics and animated sensuality.The free screening begins at 8:30 p.m.

The 2nd Friday Downtown Wander and Wonder Walk is a project of Main Street Batesville in cooperation with the Batesville Area Arts Council and participating merchants.

Main Street's Oktoberfest events are sponsored by Merchants and Planters Bank.

Three Rivers, Pages 121 on 10/05/2008