German Oktoberfest in Naperville stays 'cozy' on chilly day

Wet red leaves were on the ground, warm winter parkas were interspersed among fall jackets and the savory smell of sausage and sauerkraut was in the air. It was Oktoberfest at Naper Settlement in Naperville.

The annual celebration of autumn and German culture featured polkas, fall beers and German staples including potato salad, spaetzle with gravy and apple strudel - all under a "cozy" heated tent, said Amanda Fehrenbacher, the settlement's special events coordinator.

"One of the highlights this year is the outdoor beer garden," Fehrenbacher said from the warmth of the entertainment tent on a chilly afternoon with a high temperature near 47 degrees. "We streamed lights to make it look festive even though it's freezing."

Festively dressed folks like Tom Rocco of Chicago parked themselves near the stage to listen to polka tunes.

"I'm enjoying the day with my dad - he's a polka fan - and having some German beers," Rocco said.

Bands such as The Happy Wanderers, a trio with a trumpet, an accordion and a drummer, and Polkaholics, a pop-polka group that Fehrenbacher said plays "fast, furious and fun" mashups of current hits and traditional polkas, entertained crowds throughout the evening.

New this year at Oktoberfest was fall canvas painting with Pinot's Palette of Naperville. Owner Pamela Barrett brought 100 8-inch-by-8-inch canvasses for kids and adults to turn into a patterned fall scene or an image of their own creation. She said most chose to get creative, with kids like 6-year-old Sarah Enright of Orland Park painting a sunset and her 4-year-old brother, Jack, painting a "stormy sky" with dark hues of green and blue.

Oktoberfest guests also could snap silly pictures in a photo booth with props including beer mugs, long braided wigs and turkey leg hats, or visit historical interpretive buildings at the Naper Settlement. Saturday was the second and final day of Oktoberfest activities.