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By Crystal Yormick / Correspondent
People and their pets filled Riverside Avenue Saturday afternoon for the Medford Chamber of Commerce annual Oktoberfest. For four hours, Medford residents and visitors had the opportunity to talk with local organizations and businesses, watch live music at two separate stages, and indulge in bagels, pastries, sausages, pretzels, beer, and more.
The Medford Chamber aims to create a strong local economy by providing a nourishing environment for businesses. The groups tabling at the event ranged from small businesses like Elements Massage and Tracey’s Dog Walking to Everett Bank and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
Many organizations offered giveaways, like hand sanitizers, bookmarks, dog bandanas, Frisbees, and stickers. Others had items for sale, such as body butter, candles, and plants. Kids danced to the bands, had their faces painted, and enjoyed the a bubble machine.
Sarah Malconian, a Medford Farmers Market board member, said being a part of an event where trade is a focus is great for organizations directly involved in commerce, like the market. While tabling, she heard feedback about the market, gave people information about the winter market, and made a push for potential new sponsors.
“Oktoberfest is more expansive and draws in young professionals and all walks of the community,” Malconian said.
Lumyr Derisier, the founder of From Boston With Love (FBWL), said he’s always looking for ways to interact with people and show them that dancing is accessible, that anybody can participate. In addition to organizing local social events, FBWL takes groups of dancers to festivals and competitions, including in other parts of the U.S. and in other countries.
On his website, it says, "Representing Boston to the world through the art of Salsa and Bachata."
Part of the reason he moved his business to Medford, Derisier said, is because it’s a city that makes “everything else easy.” It's a walkable city, and if he's working from home, he said, he can invite people to the neighborhood.
“[It] makes the business part easier,” he said.
At the Trees Medford table, long-time Medford resident Lois Grossman talked to people about the benefits of trees, advocated for a tree giveaway, and promoted the organization. Oktoberfest, Grossman said, "brings people, especially a lot of children [and] a lot of young families. Very often the young people are more involved in nature.”
At the Reimagym tent, co-owner Mike Denton said his Medford-based gym caters to “people who don’t like the gym.” The target audience is people who feel alienated by mainstream fitness, Denton said, and the table setup for Oktoberfest is waving a flag to tell people “we’re here.” Reimagym has been coming to Oktoberfest every year for the past six years, and Denton said it seems to be one of Medford’s more popular events.
Attendees included long-time residents and people who grew up in Medford, even if they now live elsewhere. Mike DiFronzo, who was born and raised in Medford but moved, came with his wife and two longtime friends. He said Medford has been having more events like Oktoberfest which have been getting traction.
Marilyn Sheridan sat in the plaza with her husband, John, who sipped a beer. For Marilyn, the location of the event stood out to her, and it’s a way for her to enjoy the city she grew up in. The two have been to several events like Oktoberfest over the years but came more often when their children and grandchildren were younger.
“It’s a nice mix of people,” Marilyn Sheridan said. “You have families. You have little kids. A lot of dogs.”
Many of the dogs sported costumes and participated in the pet parade.
Mike Leff waited next to the face-painting tent with his dog, Benny, who waited patiently in a stroller and was dressed as a giant hotdog.
“You see people from your daycare. You see people from around town,” Leff said. “It’s nice to see people come out to a local event and have a nice time.”
