Over-the-Rhine Pretzel Fest - Bockfest 2011 Fundraiser

Over-the-Rhine Pretzel Fest will take place from 5 P.M. - 10 P.M. on Friday January 21, 2011, at Venue 222 (222 E 14th St). The event is a fundraiser to cover a portion of costs of the nineteenth annual Bockfest. It will be the first, official, pre-Bockfest event. Bockfest 2011 will take place from March 4 – 6, 2011.

The legendary “Cincinnati Dancing Pigs” will perform live; and local bakeries and restaurants will showcase unique pretzel creations. Admission is $35 and includes a unique sampling of freshly baked pretzels from local restaurants and bakeries, two drink tickets, a brat, and a chance to win the Ultimate Bockfest Weekend. (Additional food and beverage will also be available.) All proceeds go toward the costs of Bockfest 2011, Tickets can be purchased at www.bockfest.com

Bockfest organizers are dedicated both to growing the size and scope of the festival as well as to keeping it local and authentically Cincinnati. Bockfest depends on local sponsors and grass-roots fundraising. Pretzelfest is an example. Bockfest is also raising funds necessary through two raffles, the Arnold’s Bathtub Raffle and the Ultimate Bockfest Weekend Raffle.

Arnold’s Bathtub Raffle: Arnold’s Bar & Grill is Cincinnati’s oldest saloon, founded in 1861 and celebrating its 150 year anniversary in 2011. The bar legendarily remained open through Prohibition, and stories about bathtub gin make the bathtub that remains in a second floor dining room a symbol of Arnold’s and its history. The bar owns a motorized bathtub that is always near the front of the Bockfest Parade, to be held on March 4, 2011 at 5:30PM. Driving the tub has traditionally been a rare honor. This year, Arnold’s is letting the privilege be raffled to help support parade costs. Chances are $5 each. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bockfest.com or by contacting Bockfest organizers at Bockfest@otrbrewerydistrict.org. Arnold’s is located at 210 East 8th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Ultimate Bockfest Weekend Raffle: The Ultimate Bockfest Weekend Raffle offers ticket holders two chances to win luxury Bockfest accommodations. The Grand Prize winner will spend Friday, March 4, 2011 and Saturday, March 5, 2011 in a two-bed, two-bath penthouse in the Garfield Suites Hotel; and will receive $250 in food and drink voucher to be used at Café Martin within the hotel. The secondary prize includes Bockfest accommodations in a standard (but still spacious) suite and $100 in food and drink. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bockfest.com or by contacting Bockfest organizers at Bockfest@otrbrewerydistrict.org.

ABOUT Bockfest 2011
Bockfest will be held March, 4 – 6, 2011, beginning with the Bockfest Parade, at 5:30PM, March 4th. The parade will begin, as usual, in front of Arnold’s Bar & Grill, 210 E. 8th St., travel up Main St., cross Central Parkway, cross Liberty, and follow McMicken Ave to Walnut, ending at Bockfest Hall. Bockfest Hall is adjacent to the new Christian Moerlein Brewery, 1619 Moore St. More information about Bockfest can be found at www.bockfest.com or by contacting Bockfest organizers, Mike Morgan or Steve Hampton at Bockfest@otrbrewerydistrict.org. Mike Morgan can also be reached at (513) 304-4900.

ABOUT Cincinnati Dancing Pigs
The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs are Cincinnati's premier Jug Band and regular performers at Bockfest. They have been around since the early years of the Rolling Stones, have lasted longer than the Beatles and have more living members than the Grateful Dead. More at www.cincinnatidancingpigs.com .

ABOUT Venue 222:
Venue 222 is a unique meeting and event space within a beautifully remodeled and restored, historic Over-the-Rhine building. It is located at 222 E. 14th St. in Over-the-Rhine (between Main and Sycamore, surrounded by ample parking.) Owners Wade and Debbie Dent are long-time proponents of Over-the-Rhine and ardent supporters of Bockfest. They are donating use of the space for Pretzelfest. More about Venue 222 can be found at www.venue222.com .