GALION — The first two days of the three-day Galion Oktoberfest may have been wet and rainy, but Saturday turned out to be fairly dry. Amusement rides were operating and live music was being played on all three stages in the festival area.

Torrey Brown and his wife, Jessica, live in Bucyrus but both grew up in Galion.

“We come to the festival every year,” said Torrey.

Torrey said he is disappointed that the festival is a little smaller than it once was since its inception 40 years ago.

“The size of the festival has decreased tremendously. It used to be down to the police station, now it barely made it past the Elks,” said Torrey.

Gina Powell and her finance, Ken Reynolds, love the food the festival offers.

“Ken and I go for the food. It’s nice to leave the office at lunch time and have such a variety of food to choose from,” said Powell, who owns and operates AA American Bail Bonds on North Columbus Street with Reynolds.

In spite of the rain, Powell said the turnout for the three-day festival was not bad.

“I think it was a great turnout even with the rainy weather,” said Powell.

Torrey Brown commented that the bourbon chicken is one of the most popular foods the festival offers.

“Everybody goes to the festival for the bourbon chicken,” he said with a laugh.

The festival is organized each year by Galion businessman Kent Gimbel.

Matt Echelberry, city communications director, said the City of Galion was privileged to help festival organizers make this year’s event successful.

“The service and electric departments helped with set-up and the police department had officers walking the festival grounds. Some members of the service department used the street sweeper early Sunday morning to help with the clean up,” said Echelberry. “We wish to thank the Gimbel family for all the time and work they spend each year to bring Oktoberfest to Galion.”

Look for more photos from the Oktoberfest in our online photo gallery.