Festiki fever hits the Miami Valley

DAYTON, OH (WDTN) - Fire dancing, live surf music, tiki carving, classic car shows, and a Polynesian feast are just a few of the activities planned for Festiki 2010, which is scheduled for August 14th at Old River Park in Dayton.

And although a celebration of surfing and island culture held in a city nestled snugly within The Buckeye State might seem inherently ironic, last year’s inaugural event was so popular that this year is expected to draw upwards of 3,000 people.

Ron Kaplan, organizer of Festiki and founder of ironic clothing brand Surf Ohio, believes that, although places like Dayton are far from the beach, they still offer a viable market for the surf industry and should not be overlooked.

Festiki will also give back to the seaside communities that Midwestern tourists often visit by donating part of its proceeds to the Surfrider Foundation.

Gates to the event will open at 10:00 am., with live stage performances starting at 2:00 pm. and running through 10:30 pm. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 for ages 17 and under. Tickets for children under the age of nine are free.

For more information, visit www.festiki.com or www.surfohio.com