Villa Park Oktoberfest aims to bring community together as it did after 9/11

Ten years ago, just days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Villa Park Oktoberfest organizers had to decide whether it was appropriate to continue the festival after such tragedy.

"We thought, although it's a terribly unfortunate thing, we wanted to give some type of diversion to people," said Jenny Casale, program supervisor with the Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department and coordinator of the event. "I have to say that people were just embracing each other - not necessarily literally, but they needed to be together at that time."

The community honored victims then and they'll remember them again on this 10th anniversary during Oktoberfest, which runs Friday to Sunday, Sept. 9 to 11.

The weekend festival includes main stage entertainment, carnival rides and games, beer tent, kids' activities, adult bags tournament, a Sept. 11 ceremony, Villa Park's Got Talent contest, bingo and more.

The second annual Villa Park's Got Talent contest runs noon to 3 p.m. and includes singers, a band and a magician.

"It went so well last year, we thought we would repeat it. It was really great, actually," Casale said. "I'd have to say there's a lot of talent."

Ten food vendors will serve a variety of fare throughout the weekend from German to Chinese to American. A beer tent will offer Sam Adams Oktoberfest, Miller and Miller Lite, and hard lemonade.

Bingo takes place in the community recreation building from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Check out a crocodile, a turtle and other reptiles during the Cold Blooded Creatures show from 2:15 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Radio station 104.3 K-Hits will play music and have giveaways from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The band Wombat Carnival performs from 5 to 7 p.m.

A bags tournament begins at 4 p.m. Saturday. People are encouraged to register in advance.

The Alpiners will be walking around performing German music from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

A carnival runs throughout the festival, and kids can enjoy unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with the purchase of a $20 wristband each day. Also, from noon to 4 p.m. both days, a kids' tent is open with free activities.

Main stage entertainment includes the Neverly Brothers at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Infinity at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and local band Send in the Clones from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The fest opens Sunday with an hourlong ceremony in honor of Sept. 11.

"Just talking about it gives me goose bumps because I know it's going to be a good one," Casale said. "The way it's been planned, it should really be a moving ceremony, and I'm just looking forward to that, although it's the last day of the event."

The Chicago Royal Airs Senior Exhibition Drum and Bugle Corps will open the fest, followed by remarks from Villa Park VFW Post 2801 Cmdr. Dennis Geiseman.

Villa Park resident Nora Moriarty will conclude with "God Bless America." Moriarty was a top finalist in last year's Villa Park's Got Talent contest.

An encore performance takes place from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday by the Villa Park's Got Talent winners.

For information, call (630) 834-8970 or visit vprd.org.

If you go

What: Villa Park's Oktoberfest

When: 5 to 11 p.m. today, Sept. 9; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, starting with ceremony in honor of Sept. 11

Where: Lions Park, 320 E. Wildwood Ave., Villa Park

Cost: Free admission

Info: (630) 834-8970 or vprd.org