The Big Squeeze Accordion Festival

Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

OC Market Place
OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA
ocmarketplace.com
$2 admission

Brews and Bellows Come Together for the Big Squeeze and Beer Tasting Festival with Samuel Adams Oktoberfest Experience. Accordion based bands and soloists will show off the diversity of the squeezebox and its versatility in a variety of music genres in concerts and performances.

Lineup: Doo-Wah Riders, The Ploughboys with Mark Romano, Bonne Musique Zydeco, Los Fabulocos with Jesse Cuevas, Borsini Accordions, Gail Campanella, Lou Fanucchi, Jeffrey Iacono, Doug Lacy Buccaneer Accordionist and Bryan Olgin Rock n Roll Accordionist.

In the Samuel Adams Beer Tent, Jim Gilman und Der Burgermeisters will entertain with traditional Oktoberfest music and other popular songs in several sets throughout the day starting at 10 a.m. Specialty beers including selections form Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. For the Beer Experience there is a $35-45 ticket available in advance and includes a free admission to the Festival and The Market Place, along with four 12 oz. beers, Gaslamp Popcorn, a giant pretzel and food item from one of the food trucks. A Stein Hoisting Contest, with divisions for men and women, will be at 2:15 p.m. Contestants must hold one full 1.5 liter stein with their arm straight in front of them. Prizes for the winners include a 2015 Sun Bicycles Revolutions 24 Beach Cruiser Bike from Jax Bicycle Center provided by Avalon, an Irvine apartment community, and a Samuel Adams glass stein and other merchandise.

Gourmet food trucks Dogzilla, Baby's Badass Burgers and Grilled Cheese Truck will be serving up special menu items in addition to their regular bill of fare.

Over the years, the accordion hasn't gotten much respect, which is too bad because when all is said and done -- the accordion is fun. It's the only musical instrument that will play bass notes, chords, rhythm, and melody all at the same time and still be portable. It seems to bring people back to a happier time. The Big Squeeze is about bringing people together for a happy time.

The annual OC Accordion Festival, aka The Big Squeeze, includes three stages of accordion based bands and soloists, along with the Samuel Adams Octoberfest Experience.

Highlights: Free Zydeco dance lessons, free accordion lessons for beginners and intermediate players, a free open jam session, free accordion appraisals and free accordion storage.