Local churches to celebrate fall
Pumpkins and scarecrows, German food and "oompah" music -- they are all signs of traditional October celebrations. It wouldn't seem like autumn without them.
Three area churches are holding celebrations of the changing seasons this weekend, designed to both entertain and, in some cases, raise funds.
St. John Episcopal Church in Mount Prospect and St. James Catholic Church in Arlington Heights are holding Oktoberfest celebrations while Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove is holding a Harvest Fest and pumpkin sale.
German beer, bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad and strudel will be among the delicious foods offered to Oktoberfest revelers at St. James Catholic Church starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at St. John Episcopal Church from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
This is the fifth or sixth year for St. James' Oktoberfest and every year the parish center is adorned with German flags and canopies to make it look as much like a Bavarian beer tent as possible, said David Jaffe, one of the organizers.
A popular social event, it annually attracts between 500 and 600 people, Jaffe said.
Those attending enjoy a catered German meal and are entertained by "The Renowned Johnny Wagner Band," a group which plays everything from German "oompah" music to contemporary rock, as well as by about 30 high school and college-age German folk dancers from the Society of the Danube Swabians in Des Plaines.
"This is a great opportunity to enjoy a beer and some great food and visit with friends," Jaffe said.
St. John Episcopal Church is hosting its first Oktoberfest in an effort to help the Mount Prospect Historical Society raise funds to move the 1896 Central School off of church property and onto society property.
"This is an unusual thing for an English church to do -- hold a German Oktoberfest," the Rev. Scott Barron of St. John's admitted, "But we thought that it would be a fun thing to do and a good way to help the Historical Society."
"We are thrilled that St. John's is hosting this event to benefit the Central School," said Gavin Kleespies, executive director of the Historical Society. "Besides, hosting an Oktoberfest is historically appropriate for Mount Prospect since this community was made up entirely of German farmers for the first 50 years it existed."
Admission is free for the fest, but there will be a small charge for the food, beer and wine and donations for the Schoolhouse Fund will be requested.
"The Alpiners," a popular local German band known for very authentic music and costumes, singalongs and an engaging stage presence, will perform.
An American autumn will be the focus at Kingwood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove with its second annual Harvest Fest Saturday.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. families will be swarming church grounds to enjoy a petting zoo and craft fair, choose pumpkins, play games, be educated about health issues, snack on goodies and be entertained.
"We have held our pumpkin sale and craft show during October for years as our annual fall fundraiser for our mission program," explained Anne Marie Gerhardt, director of communications for Kingswood. "Just last year we decided to add the Harvest Fest to entertain the community and draw people to the pumpkin sale."
This year 30,000 pounds of pumpkins were trucked in from New Mexico to be sold, Gerhardt said.
"Last year we raised $3,100 for our mission program from the sale," she added.
In addition to the sales, Harvest Fest goers will enjoy the Buggy Whip Farm traveling petting zoo, shows by the Kingswood Puppet Team and Bell Choirs, folk songs and animal stories performed by church member Jim Gibson and a musical performance by the rock and country group "After Dark." Representatives of several area mental health and homeopathic medicine organizations will also be on hand for a mini-health fair.
Autumn celebrations
St. James Catholic Church
What: Oktoberfest
Where: 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday; must be age 21 or older
Cost: $20 in advance and $25 at the door for St. James; includes food, but there is a cash bar for German and domestic beers, wine and soft drinks
Call: (847) 253-6305, ext. 177
St. John Episcopal Church
What: Oktoberfest
Where: 200 N. Main St., Mount Prospect
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Nominal charge for food; donations for Central School requested
Call: (847) 392-1700 or www.yourcentralschool.org
Kingswood United Methodist Church
What: Harvest Fest and pumpkin sale
Where: 401 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free admission
Call: (847) 398-0770 or www.kingswoodumc.com