Contributed by Jill Lloyd, Media Coordinator:

Themed “Squeeze Some Spice Into Your Life” the  6th annual Accordion Festival AKA “The Big Squeeze” on Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Orange County Market Place in Costa Mesa will bring together zesty music, hot and spicy foods and tasty seasonal brews.

Accordion based bands and soloists playing a variety of music genres will highlight the Big Squeeze component, which runs from 10:AM to 4:PM and show off the diversity of the squeezebox.

Featured bands on the main stage include Doug Legacy  and the Zydeco Party Band at 2:45 PM withhot and spicy zydeco, Cajun, blues and “Chuck Berry style”rock ‘n roll.  

Returning for the second year is Porterhouse Bob and Down to the Bone featuring The Brotherhood Horns and L.A. Accordion Diva “Gee “Rabe on accordion at 12:45 p.m. They are an eight piece New Orleans style funk and rhythm and blues band which includes a four piece horn section known as The Brotherhood Horns with players from Ray Charles, Brian Setzer, Elton John and many others.

The Ploughboys, the house band at the Scottish Pub Tam O’Shanter Inn in Los Angeles, will perform lively Scottish and Irish songs at 11:30 a.m.  

The Fred Mlakar Band will churn out Slovenian American music to kick off the main stage shows at 10:30 a.m.

Free zydeco dance lessons will be offered at 12:20 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. by Ted Sherrod.
On another stage from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. solo accordionists will offer a cultural mix of music including Balkan Folk Music by Dromia, Italian and Piazzolla selections by Lou Fanucchi, Hungarian and other international melodies by Peter Geburth. Jim Gilman’s Oktoberfest band will bring in traditional German and Polka favorites.

The public can bring their accordions to take part in free lessons for beginners and intermediate players at 11:30 a.m. by “Gee Rabe” as well as free appraisals from noon to 3 p.m. and an open jam at 3:30 p.m. Free accordion storage will be available.

While soaking in the hot entertainment, beer connoisseurs can take in the Samuel Adams Octoberfest Experience which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers tastings of its seasonal brews and other specialty beers. Beer selections include Samuel Adams Fall Seasonal Octoberfest Beer and other specialty beers including Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Samuel Adams Rebel IPA, Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat, Angry Orchard Cider, Porch Rocker, Belgian Session and Fat Jack.

For the Beer Experience there is a $25 ticket available in advance and offers a $19 savings through Sept. 26 .  This includes a free admission and preferred parking to the Big Squeeze with all of the entertainment and the OC Market Place, along with FOUR 12 oz. beers, a bratwurst and giant pretzel. Tickets are available at www.Eventbrite.com under Samuel Adams Octoberfest Experience & The Big Squeeze. 

At the event, the cost for the Beer Experience is $35 and does include admission and preferred parking) .Non beer tasting attendees can attend the Festival and the OC Market Place for $2 or free admission for children 12 and under.

Think you can hoist a full liter and a half stein longer than anyone else? The Samuel Adams Stein Hoisting Contest will have male and female contestants seeing who can hold up one full 1.5 liter stein with arms straight in front of them for the longest time.  Winners receive an exclusive Samuel Adams Merchandise Bucket which includes a glass stein, hat, shirt, bottle opener, key chain and sweatshirt!

Space is extremely limited. Sign-ups will begin the morning of the event at the Samuel Adams Octoberfest tent, starting at 10 a.m. for both the men’s and women’s competition. The main heat is at 2 p.m. on the Main Stage.

Gourmet food trucks will be serving up special spicy and Oktoberfest menu items in addition to their regular bill of fare.

Among the selections are Piaggio on Wheels’ Pork Sausage Skewers served with Sauerkraut Mashed Potatoes, Barcelona on the Go’s Prime Steak Tacos with Roasted Corn and Fiery Tomatillo Salsa, Ragin’ Cajun’s Red Beans and Rice with Sausage and Gumbolaya, Flavor Rush’s Char-Grilled Beer Braised Bratwurst, Tailgate Truck’s 5-alarm Chili Cheese Nachos and Spudrunners’ Chorizo Grilled Cheese with Fiery Roasted Jalapeños

In addition to the food trucks, other Market Place food operations will be available including Carlos Cantina Mexican Food, Texas BBQ, Mama Rubino’s Pizza and much more.

Admission to the Accordion Festival is $2, and includes access to the Orange County Market Place which features hundreds of swap meet vendors as well as the Orange County Antique and Vintage Market, both of which run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The Market Place is located at the OC Fair & Event Center at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.

For more information call 949-723-6660.

For Media Information from the Orange County Market Place please contact:
Jill Lloyd (714) 267-4657 or jillannlloyd@yahoo.com