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Guest Column: Notes For Novemberfest Newbies

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By KATHY DOTSON Special to the Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008

BRANDON - The scent of all things fried and sugary is in the air, and all the fun rides, entertainment and goodies are finally here.

Although many families promise their kids one day of fun at Novemberfest at Nativity Catholic Church, some of us just can't get enough of the annual five-day festival.

After more than a decade of taking my kids to one of the most popular outdoor events in Brandon, I would like to share some tips with newcomers and encourage families who usually spend one day there to come back for more this year.

DRESS CASUALLY, COMFORTABLY

All the kids' favorite (and messy) fair foods will be there, including burgers, hot dogs, cheese nachos and ice cream. The inevitable will happen, so keep it casual and just be happy you're eating outside!

BRING WET WIPES, GERMY GEL

No explanation needed here - you're at a carnival! And don't forget the Kleenex, too. It's amazing how much havoc the kicked-up dirt from the festival grounds can wreak on nasal passages. Get ready for some interesting comments like, "Ew, mom! Did you see what I just blew out of my nose?"

DON'T MAKE 'EM HOLD IT

It's never a good idea to put off a trip to the restroom for too long at any outdoor event. There are portable toilets stationed throughout the grounds, but I prefer to use the bathrooms in the hospitality trailer stationed near the school playground. Enough said.

ARMBANDS ARE AWESOME

Whoever came up with the idea for unlimited rides with the purchase of an armband must have been a parent. While your kids are on their favorite ride for the hundredth time, you can find an arcade game that you like and practice. Later, when you win that big stuffed animal in front of your kids, you will rock!

CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES

The standing-room-only crowd under the Big Top tent is always filled with parents and family members trying desperately to get the perfect picture of their darlings performing onstage. Nothing is worse than realizing - at that perfect Kodak moment - that your camera batteries are dead, so stock up and bring extras.

CALL IT A DAY

After a full day of rides and logging laps around the festival grounds, the family can come together at the dinner tent at a time that may be well past the usual dinner hour and past bedtime for some. So moms, throw out your usual routine and roll with it. Novemberfest happens only once a year.

COME BACK FOR MORE

Amazingly, no matter how long and crazy your day is, the moment it's time to go home and you hustle everyone to the car, a new sense of energy comes over you. Tomorrow is another day. ... So why not let your kids slap on new armbands and tackle the Power Surge and Ring of Fire once again?

FESTIVAL KICKS OFF TODAY

Nativity Catholic Church kicks off its 39th annual Novemberfest today. Attendance for the five-day fundraiser for the church's religious education programs and Nativity Catholic School typically tops 100,000. Here are some other details about the event:

WHAT: The five-day festival features carnival and kiddie rides, midway games, live entertainment and a smorgasbord of traditional fair food and local favorites.

WHEN: Today-Sunday, times vary: 4-11 p.m. today and Thursday; 4 p.m.-midnight Friday; noon-midnight Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Nativity Catholic School, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., at Bryan Road.

COST: Free admission and parking; purchase ride tickets individually or buy all-day armbands for $22.

NEW THIS YEAR: A 5K Run/1-Mile Walk on Saturday that will wind through neighborhoods near the school. Check-in is at 7 a.m.; the race starts at 8 a.m. Registration is $20.

INFO: Call (813) 657-9787 or go to www.nativitycatholicschool.org/novemberfest2008.

Kathy Dotson is a Nativity Catholic Church parishioner whose two children graduated from Nativity Catholic School.

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