Hoffman Estates hosts annual Platzkonzert
We're still be only halfway through September, but who's going to complain about celebrating Oktoberfest a bit early?
Probably no one who's ever visited Hoffman Estates' Platzkonzert, which expands this year to a two-day festival filled with authentic German food and beverages, Bavarian music and dancing, and German-themed contests.
The fifth annual edition of the fest begins at 4 p.m. Friday and features an opening night concert by Centerfold at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Mary Hayter Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway. Entry and parking are free.
The fun begins early Saturday with the inaugural running of the Platzkonzert Germanfest 5K at 8 a.m. The race starts and finishes at the Village Green, with a course that winds around the scenic Prairie Stone Business Park. After the run, the Village Green will host a continental breakfast for runners, spectators and others, and Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod will make an official welcoming statement at 9:30 a.m..
The festival grounds open at 9 a.m., with a day full of live musical performances from the Tenors Three, the Johnny Wagner Band, Walter Flechsing, the Hott Production Dancers and a second appearance by Centerfold.
Festivalgoers can also partake in authentic German competitions Saturday, including a wiener eating contest at 3 p.m., a "Mr. Lederhosen" best legs contest at 3:30 p.m., and a stein-carrying contest at 4 p.m.
For the younger crowd, there will be a climbing wall and giant inflatables to bounce in.
Then, of course, there's the food. Lots of food. The festival grounds will include a Brat Haus and other food vendors selling bratwursts, hot dogs, German hamburgers, German potato salad, sauerkraut, chicken and pork schnitzel, German chocolate cake and other items.
And what better way to wash down a bratwurst or some schnitzel than with an authentic German beer, plenty of which will be available for purchase.
For directions, performance schedules and more information, visit platzkonzertgermanfest.com.