With a few signs of fall in the air one of Butler County's most enjoyable fall festivals has taken on a new moniker, and a new theme, and is right around the corner.

What was once Oktoberfest has been reborn with a new name- the GRITS Festival, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 30. No doubt you've seen the "Eat my GIRTS" signs proudly displayed in yards and street corners throughout Greenville signifying the approach of the festival, which in addition to celebrating a Southern staple is an acronym for Greenville Rocking In The Streets.

We think the idea to change the name and theme of the festival is a good one. Many people associate Oktoberfest with its German roots and since there are few people of German descent living in our midst the name of the festival was a bit out of place.

On the other hand, everyone who is a southerner can identify with the southern delicacy that emotes feelings of down home southern flavor and anyone who attends the reborn fall festival will have the chance to show their true southern heritage by bringing their favorite grits dish and showing off their creation to attendees.

Another good byproduct of the GRITS festival is its venue. The festival will be held downtown, a good thing in our opinion since downtown Greenville is the heart of our community and more people need the chance to experience what our historic downtown has to offer, something that Nancy Idland and her Main Street faithful, who are sponsoring the festival, have been preaching for years.

Our hope is that the weather will be good, the community will turn out for the event and this premier fall festival will be a hit.

We think it will be and we encourage you, your family and friends to trek downtown and experience this one-of-a-kind family funfest.