Prost! Oktoberfest kicks off in Naperville

Naperville will give a nod to its German heritage this weekend with a few brats washed down with an ice cold Spaten or two.

Naper Settlement is sponsoring its annual Oktoberfest from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday on the museum grounds at 523 S. Webster St.

And while organizers said they are keeping the spirit alive with authentic German music and food, an effort was made to model this year’s celebration after the Oktoberfest held annually in Munich.

“We really wanted to get a pulse on what Oktoberfest is in Germany and we learned that it truly is a festival oriented event with circus performers and rides and all of that,” said Michelle LeBlanc, of the Naperville Cultural Center. “Knowing that, we had a lot more room to be creative and move in that direction with a train ride for kids, a puppeteer, and demonstrations from Sharkey’s Karate Studio.”

But don’t worry. Once the sun goes down you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of music, including Die Musikmeisters, a lively German band that performs a diverse repertoire of polkas, waltzes, marches and other dances, and Ron Keller’s German Band, whose members also play in the Naperville Municipal Band.

Prodigal Son, The Almost Brothers and The Legends, also are scheduled to perform.

In honor of the Rotary Club of Naperville, which sponsored Oktoberfest for many years, Rotary Hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday. Rotary Club members can show their Rotary International pin for free admission.

Children’s activities are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers from the German Language School of Naperville will dress in traditional clothing and assist with face painting, crafts and games.

Oktoberfest tickets are $8 in advance online atnapersettlement.museum and $10 at the door.

If you go

<B>What: Naperville Oktoberfest

</B>When: 4 to 10 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday

<B>Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St.

</B>Cost: $10; $5 for children ages 5-12

<B>Info: napersettlement.org/index.aspx? NID=237</B>