Oktoberfest Panel Locks Entertainment, Vendor Slots

Other Committee · Meeting of September 21, 2026

Douglas Oktoberfest organizers report just a third of volunteer slots filled two weeks before the event. Committee members said 42 of 124 volunteer shifts were staffed, including 10 high school students, leaving 82 open; they plan to enlist a Boy Scout troop and repost calls to neighboring towns' schools. Entertainment is nearly set, pending two unsigned musician contracts, with performers Joe Cicero, John Short, Peter Gretton and Michael O'Keefe discussed for slots and a high school band and chorus confirmed for the traditional closing set, "the signature of the event." Vendor spots are full, with a late application dated September 17, after the August 15 pricing deadline, still unresolved.

Members also said police and highway crews were "a little overly aggressive" posting no-parking signs last year and plan to negotiate more spaces before this year's festival. No formal votes were taken.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.