Downtown set for big weekend

CINCINNATI - With 500,000 people expected for Oktoberfest and the Reds ready to clinch the Central Division, downtown Cincinnati will be a busy place this weekend.

Oktoberfest starts Friday and continues through Sunday. The event could be the biggest ever thanks to a new footprint.

Unlike past years, Vine Street will remain open to traffic with Oktoberfest starting at Fountain Square and moving east to Sentinel.

"By moving it to the east we have a lot more space on the other end down by P&G and beyond the Taft, so it gives us a lot more to play with, and a lot more of an opportunity to invite 500,000 of our best friends," said Chris Kemper, Director of Public Relations for Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

Oktoberfest will be going on at the same time the Reds are trying to clinch the division.

"We've been to the most ball games we've ever been to," said Donna Fischer, a Reds fan who lives two hours north of Cincinnati.

The Reds start a series with the Dodgers Friday at 7:10 p.m.

Oktoberfest starts Friday at noon.

For more information on Oktoberfest go to: http://www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/