Campaign to attract Bieber to Oktoberfest moving slowly

KITCHENER — A campaign to persuade teen sensation Justin Bieber to lead this year’s Oktoberfest parade is getting off to a slow start.

But it’s way too early to get discouraged yet, Mark Kreller, executive director of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, said Thursday.

“We thought it might take off a little bit quicker,’’ Kreller said.

About 1,000 people have viewed a cover of Bieber’s hit song Baby that was posted to the Operation Bieber Facebook page to try and attract his attention.

“It’s starting to gain a little bit of traction,’’ Kreller said.

But organizers want to see evidence of greater interest before contacting Bieber’s people about the Stratford-born singer being this year’s parade marshal, he said.

“We plan to get in touch with the organization, but we’re not ready to do that yet until we’ve got a mass of people asking for Justin to come to K-W. You want to have a bit of impact.’’

Last year’s attempt to lure U.S talk show host Ellen DeGeneres as parade marshal was also slow to get off the ground, he said. But that campaign ultimately gained momentum, swelling to 32,000 fans on a Facebook fan page.

The idea to invite DeGeneres was hatched after she used a photo of an Oktoberfest inflatable lion float on her show. The photo of the back of the lion appeared phallic to some people.

A mass chicken dance was even held at Kitchener city hall as part of the campaign. Ultimately, she wasn’t able to come, however.

But Kreller thinks they have a chance with Bieber because he’s from Stratford.

“He’s a local guy. Because he tends to come back to town every couple of months, hopefully it’s something he might consider.’’

The parade usually draws 150,000 people, Kreller said.

“If Justin Bieber was there, what would the number be: 250,000? There’s no question if he was to be the parade marshal, it would create some mayhem on the streets.’’

Organizers are planning to set up a contest on Facebook, inviting people to create their own video invitations to Bieber.

Even though Bieber isn’t of drinking age, Kreller doesn’t see that as a problem. Oktoberfest hasn’t been seen as a beer-fest for years, he said, but instead is a cultural event.

“He’s not of age to be celebrating in the fest hall, but he’s of age to be … parade marshal. We just would like to involve him in the festival and have him celebrate one of the greatest Bavarian festivals.’’

Oktoberfest hasn’t heard from any of Bieber’s people, although Kreller assumes he knows about the campaign.

He hasn’t commented on his Twitter page, yet, however.

But Kreller’s attitude is still, ‘Never say never.’

Source: The Record