Roche de Boeuf festival this weekend

The Anthony Wayne band marches in the 2009 Roche de Boeuf festival parade.

A pair of popular fall festivals will take place this weekend, one in Waterville and the other in Findlay.

The 37th annual Roche de Boeuf will be in Waterville Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as the community celebrates its French heritage.

The festival, which includes a parade, live music, a car show, and various crafters and artists, takes its name from a large rock in the Maumee River near the community. Roche de Bouef means "rock of beef" or "buffalo rock" in French.

The festival is centered in Waterville's downtown area and the parade along River Road will begin at 10 a.m. Children's activities will take place throughout the day and a number of fine artists will have their work on display.

The 9th Annual Roche de Boeuf Car Show will be in the Shawn's Irish Tavern parking lot.

In Findlay, the second annual Oktoberfest will feature the Budweiser Clydesdales and polka music.

The Clydesdales will roll into the festival site at the Senior Center, 339 East Melrose Ave., Friday at about 5:30 p.m. Spectators can watch as the team is hitched to its trademark wagon and taken for a demonstration drive.

Also Friday there will be live music, dancing, and food. The band Willful Blindness will play classic rock from 5 p.m. to

7:30 p.m. followed by Midlife Crisis playing from 8 to 11. The food area and beer tent will be open from 5 to 11, and there is no admission charge.

On Saturday, the festival will be from 1 to 9 p.m. and polka music will be highlighted with the groups Squeezebox and the Duane Malinowski Orchestra.

Squeezebox will feature Ted Lange and Dave Burner joined by guest artists John Gora from Ontario, Canada, and Robbie Piatowski from Syracuse, N.Y.

The bands will alternate sets throughout the day, and admission is $8 per person at the door. Food such as bratwursts, sauerkraut, chicken, and German potato salad will be featured all day, along with beer, of course.