Ozone, Octoberfest makes weekend festive

Although the economic impact figures will not be available until the end of the month, organizers of events this past weekend said they were well attended and people had a good time.

Pam Keller, Covington’s economic development director, said there was a lot to do this weekend, including the Oktoberfest at Heiner Brau Brewery. She said the traditional German harvest festival’s local counterpart was well received and attended. The official Oktoberfest tent, next to the brewery, featured the Covington brewery’s fares along music for the occasion.

The Ozone Film Festivals’s director, Carla Patin, said there were a number of professionals from the film industry who came to Covington to present workshops and panel discussions. She said the workshops were extremely professional and well attended. Patin said the industry people in particular were impressed the area and enjoyed meeting and talking to visitors at various festival venues and workshops.

This year’s premiere film was “Dirty Politics,” and the audience included local politicians, said Patin. The film was totally produced in Louisiana, and there were at least 200 viewing the comedy spoof of every Louisianians favorite topic — politics, she said.

The festival is designed to provide a venue for independent features as well as short films and workshops by industry professionals.

Steven Esteb, director of “Dirty Politics,” was impressed with the community and its support and may be thinking of relocating here from California, she said.

“We really could not put on the festival without the community’s support,” Patin said. “We don’t make money on the fest; we do it for the community.”

She praised the support the festival gets from local sponsors, including the stores and businesses. Everyone wanted a sign for their window, she said.

It is more a boutique-style film festival.

“We have so much to offer here, with local products showcased during the event, such as Abita beer and Pontchartrain Vineyards’ wines. The industry people enjoy what we have to offer,” Patin said.

The festival has been going on for seven years, and she said the crowds have changed since Katrina, with more than just locals attending.