Carol Stream welcomes fall with Oktoberfest

Carol Stream's Oktoberfest has found its groove.

After efforts to make the fest more family-friendly in recent years, this year's Oktoberfest offers more fun for children than ever before. There will be hay rides, children's games and crafts, and two performances by magician, balloon artist and juggler Dave Fleming.

"We've found that with Carol Stream being a young community, people kind of come out in droves now," said Christopher Oakley, assistant village manager.

That doesn't mean the fest, which comes to Ross Ferraro Town Center Saturday, is just for the little ones. Other attractions include performances by the Reunion Jazz Orchestra, traditional German food, a beer garden and an evening performance by Bavarian band The Alpiners.

The grown-up fun really kicks off when Mayor Frank Saverino Sr. officially taps the Oktoberfest Keg at 5:25 p.m.

"Things kind of change focus and it gets a little rowdy about then," Oakley said.

While the main goal of the annual Oktoberfest is to offer fun for Carol Stream residents, it also seeks two other aims. The fest celebrates early German settlers, including the Gary, Landmeier, Schmale, Lies, Kuhn and Kammes clans, who farmed much of the area that is now Carol Stream about 150 years ago.

The fest also raises funds for the Rotary Club of Carol Stream. Beer garden proceeds benefit this service organization, which raises money to fund local and international programs.

Recent projects funded by the local Rotary include lightning detection systems for Carol Stream Park playing fields, defibrillators for Carol Stream Police cars, funds for Family Shelter Services, Access DuPage and contributing to Rotary International's project to eradicate polio worldwide.

For details on the club, visit carolstreamrotary.com.

Carol Stream Oktoberfest

Carol Stream Oktoberfest runs from 3 to 8:30 p.m. at Ross Ferraro Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road. Includes hay wagon rides, beer garden, entertainment, food and music. Admission and parking are free. Call (630) 665-7050 or visit carolstream.org.

3 to 5 p.m. Hay wagon rides, children's games and Reunion Jazz Orchestra performance

3 to 8:30 p.m. Food sales

3 to 9 p.m. Rotary beer garden open

3:30 to 4 p.m. & 4:30 to 5 p.m. Children's entertainer Dave Fleming

5:25 p.m. Mayors and event sponsors tap the Oktoberfest keg

5:30 to 8:25 p.m. The Alpiners, first set