Accordions are in the spotlight at annual festival Sunday

Accordion-based bands and soloists will showcase their squeeze-box chops during the seventh annual Orange County Accordion Festival in Costa Mesa.

“The Big Squeeze,” being held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Orange County Market Place, will feature a variety of music genres. It will coincide with the second annual Samuel Adams Octoberfest Experience, during which seasonal and specialty brews will be served.

Headlining the festival is the Doo-Wah Riders, a five-member country band with a Cajun twist that has appeared in concert with Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw and Dolly Parton, among other performers.

Borsini Accordions will host solo performers and presentations, followed by an open jam at 3:30 p.m., during which the public may play the instrument. The public may also bring accordions for free appraisals.

Gourmet food trucks, including Dogzilla, Baby’s Burgers and the Grilled Cheese Truck, will serve special menu items in addition to the regular bill of fare.

The Samuel Adams Octoberfest Experience, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature a 2:15 p.m. Stein Hoisting Contest, with divisions for men and women. Contestants must hold one full 1.5-liter stein with their arm straight in front of them.

Octoberfest Experience advance tickets are $35 and include four 12-ounce beers, popcorn, a pretzel, a food item from one of the trucks and festival and Market Place admission. Tickets purchased at the event are $45 and do not include admission.

People not interested in beer tasting will be admitted to the festival and the Orange County Market Place for $2; children age 12 and under are admitted free.

The Orange County Market Place is at the OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive.

For more information, call (949) 723-6660 or visit ocmarketplace.com

—Kathleen Luppi