There is plenty to do throughout the city this weekend. Here are the Editor's Top Five picks.

 

1. Das Bier Garten.

Oktoberfest is this weekend, Sept. 5-7, at Genoa Park on the downtown riverfront. The time-honored German festival features traditional German polka as well as various other styles of music, a variety of authentic German food and more festival favorites. Don't miss the Marketplatz filled with artisans and unique shops.

 

The annual tapping of the keg is at 5 p.m. Friday. For a complete list of performers and vendors, visit www.gvoktoberfest.com.

     

 

2. Get it While it's Hot.

While you're in the festival mood, check out the Hot Times Community Arts and Music Festival, Sept. 5-7 at Main and Parsons, close to downtown.

 

The event includes music performances, a poetry slam, children's activities, food and more. For a complete line-up, visit www.hottimesfestival.com.

    

3. Eat, Drink and Be Merry...

The annual Columbus Food and Wine Affair is Sept. 5 from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Franklin Park Conservatory, showcasing the finest Columbus chefs and the world's most superb vintners. It includes a wine competition and grand tasting.

 

Cost is $100. For more information, visit www.foodandwineaffair.com.

 

Also kicking off this week, Sept. 3, is the North Market Kitchen Chef Series. It will be held the first and third Wednesday of each month through Nov. 19. Elevate your date night to the next level as Columbus chefs cook an intimate - and instructive - dinner for two. Cost is $60. Visit www.northmarket.com.

4. We Say Tomato ...

The annual Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival is Sept. 3-7 at Civic Park, showcasing the fabulous fruit in all of its glory. The event includes tomato exhibits and contests, free tomato juice, pony rides, a parade and a midway. For more information, visit www.reynoldsburgtomatofestival.org.

 

5. Book Worms.

Check out the fourth annual Columbus Book Festival, Sept. 6 at the King Arts Complex, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event includes speakers, such as poet/author John Fox and children's author Paul Brett Johnson, a catered lunch and two open mics. Visit www.kingartscomplex.com.

 

Also, the Columbus Postcard, Paper and Book Show will be held Sept. 7 at Veterans Memorial. Visit www.columbusproductions.com.

 

Bonus: The Runway Report.

 

EBONY Fashion Fair presents The Runway Report: What’s Hip. What’s Hot. What’s Now, the world’s largest traveling fashion show. The Runway Report travels to more than 170 U.S. cities through May 2009, including Columbus Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Capitol Theatre in the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.

 

The event is being hosted by Twig 110 of Nationwide Children's Hospital, with benefits going toward the hospital. Tickets are $35.

 
Commanding the catwalk will be 13 alluring models that will work the runway in designs by a host of the best designers in the world, including Christian Lacroix, Sarli, b. michael, Carolina Herrera, Rubin Singer and Jean-Louis Scherrer.