Crystal City OktoberfeAst 2025: A Community Celebration of Fun, Food, and Fellowship
Corning Rotaryâs inaugural Crystal City OktoberfeAst was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, on the skating rink and surrounding plaza at Corningâs Nasser Civic Center. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the area offered a lively mix of food, music, and fellowship on a crisp fall day.
More than 48 volunteers from the Rotary Club of Corning and the community helped make this first-time major fundraiser for Corning Rotary programs in the community possible. Guests enjoyed a range of local food vendors, beer tastings, and live performances by Leah Brown and the Side Hustle and Second Wind. For extra fun, Bobby K provided games such as cornhole and giant Jenga, and others for friendly competition throughout the day.
T-Shirts from Studio LMG were for sale and we had sketchers from 171 Cedar Arts!
A highlight of the event was the appearance of Michael Joseph II, representing Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Claude B. Govan Chapter. He presented Faithful Pursuit II, a striking chrome-wrapped 2015 ROUSH Ford Mustang modeled after the famed P-51 Red Tail Fighters of the 332nd Fighter Group. The car, unveiled earlier this year at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, attracted steady attention and conversation. Michael spoke individually with visitors about the extraordinary history and postwar accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen.
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With positive comments about the food, beverages, and overall experience, as well as recommendations for the future, OktoberfeAst 2025 marked a strong beginning for what is planned to become an annual Rotary traditionâbringing people together in fellowship while supporting local service initiatives.
Thank you to all those that helped make this possible!
⢠our community guests
⢠all the volunteers from the community and Corning Rotary
⢠City of Corning
⢠Saratoga Eagle
⢠Corning Chamber of Commerce
⢠Corning Gaffer District
⢠Michael Joseph - Tuskegee Airmen
⢠Sponsors: First Heritage, Chemung Canal, Mengel Metzger and Barr, The Welch Firm
⢠Breweries: Tub Town, Horseheads Brewing, Rising Storm Brewing
⢠Musicial Groups: Leah Brown and the Side Hustle; Second Wind
⢠Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
⢠Friends of the Library
⢠Studio LMG
⢠YMCA
⢠Bobby K
⢠RTG
⢠Southern Tier Library Corning
⢠Seven Mountains Media
⢠BIG FOX WYDC / Frank Acomb
⢠Cheryl's Pierogi Shop
⢠Moonies
⢠Cousins Maine Lobster
⢠Graze and Gather
⢠Stef's Sweet Treats