Villa Park to honor veterans with concert during Oktoberfest

It might be called Oktoberfest, but this will be distinctly American.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, Villa Park resident and professional singer Anne Marie Dando will sing patriotic selections to honor those who have and continue to serve in the military as part of the village's 29th annual Oktoberfest.

"It's not about the war. We're neither for it nor against it," said Jenny Casale, Villa Park's recreations program supervisor. "This is for our veterans. We can never say thank you enough for all that they've done already."

Sponsored by Villa Park's Parks and Recreation Department, the festival at Lions Park, 320 E. Wildwood, will include a pet parade and pet costume contest, live music, a beer tent, carnival rides, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a special salute to residents in the military and their families.

Casale said she was inspired to have this tribute after hearing Dando sing "God Bless America" at a July summer concert.

"Whether it's World War I, II -- and especially Vietnam -- something touched me and I felt we needed to do something," Casale said.

Saturday continues to hold the biggest lineup for the three-day festival, including the pet parade and costume contest and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Teams can register for the tournament by calling (630) 834-8970. Registration costs $19 per team.

Along with event standbys, there will be new additions to the schedule.

"Putting in a flea market and deleting the Business Expo is one of the biggest changes we're making this year," Casale said.

So far, Casale said, 40 vendors -- mainly village residents -- will participate in the market, which, unlike the expo, "frees up more space for more carnival rides."

Another major fest change includes adding local rock group Infinity as the 7:30 p.m. Saturday music headliner, a role Beatles tribute band American English had played since 2000.

Why the switch?

"The seven-year itch, I guess," Casale joked. "American English has been wonderful. After seven years, it was time for a change."

Then again, it might be the fest's opening night concerts where listeners looking for the next big thing may want to check.

Opening night is Teen Night, centered around the annual "Battle of the Bands," which will feature four groups: Slow Children, The Rubber Band, Catastrophe and Stain Removal.

One former band battle performer is making its mark with the song "Hey, There Delilah" on fans worldwide.

"Plain White Ts," Casale said. "We'd love to have them back."

For now, what organizers can guarantee is that on Saturday Drei Kameradin will provide some traditional German music to celebrate Oktoberfest.

"Oompah music," Casale said, "got to have it."

Oktoberfest

The festival opens today and continues through Sunday at Lions Park, 320 E. Wildwood Ave., Villa Park. Includes live music, a flea market, a salute to military families, carnival rides and a beer tent. Admission and parking are free. Call (630) 834-8970 or visit www.vprd.org/okt.htm.

TODAY

5-9 p.m. Carnival ride special

5-10 p.m. Battle of the Bands: Featuring Slow Children, The Rubber Band, Stain Removal, Catastrophe

FRIDAY

5 p.m. Carnival rides

7:30 - 11 p.m. The New Invaders (Classic rock music)

SATURDAY

9 a.m. 3-on-3 basketball tournament

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Flea market

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Pet Parade and Pet Costume Contest

Noon-4 p.m. Carnival ride special, $15 unlimited rides with wristband

Noon-4 p.m. Craft corner

12:15-1 p.m. The Magic & Illusions of Paul Lee & Co.

12:30-1:30 p.m. Pie-eating contest

1:30 p.m. The Jesse White Tumbling Team

2-4 p.m. Drei Kameradin (German music)

3 p.m. Bags tournament

4:30-6:30 p.m. Strait Southern (Country music)

7 p.m. A Salute to Our Resident Military and Families

7:30-11 p.m. Infinity (Rock music)