Havana Oktoberfest features 7-year-old crooner and all the usual fun stuff

[AUG. 28, 2006]  HAVANA -- Tyler Huston Rohlwing, a country singer coming to Havana Oktoberfest, may be only 7 years old, but he commands a stage and can belt out a song like he's been doing it all of his seven years. At Havana’s 33rd Oktoberfest celebration, Sept. 8-9, the Lewistown youngster will sing on Saturday morning at the conclusion of the Polka Pace Race, while runners and their friends and families wait for race results to be announced. He is expected to sing between 9 and 11 a.m.

Tyler is the son of Jeff and Jodi Rohlwing of Lewistown and the grandson of Paul and Linda Bailey of Havana. Last year, at the age of 6, he took first place in his age division in the talent show at the Fulton County Fair. He has since kept a busy schedule of singing engagements -- as long as they didn't interfere with his first-place-winning Little League team or other youthful activities.

Instead of dinner theater, visitors can have a little breakfast theater and dine on pancakes and sausages, courtesy of the Havana Rotary Club, while Tyler entertains.

The starting gun for the 24th running of the Polka Pace Race through the streets of Havana will sound at 8 a.m. for both walkers and runners. Shirts will be reserved for those who register by Sept. 6.

The 5K race route passes through Riverfront Park along the Illinois River and includes pleasant residential surroundings along Havana's brick streets.

Race packets and sign-up start at 6:30 a.m. at the old gym by New Central School, at the corner of Pearl and Market streets. Walkers will line up behind the runners, and all will begin at 8 a.m.

All walkers will receive ribbons. Trophies will be awarded to top finishing runners in various age groups.

The Oktoberfest will kick off on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. with the grand Volksmarch Parade and music until midnight both days.

There will be a wide variety of craft displays on the courthouse lawn, and the very popular Mason District Hospital Ladies Auxiliary Cakewalk will offer chances on homemade confectionary goodies at only a quarter per chance.

German and American food will be offered in abundance at the food court, and of course, there will be both beer and wine.

[Polka Pace Race form and Oktoberfest schedule]

[To download Adobe Acrobat Reader for the PDF file, click here.]

[News release]