Lynfred Oktoberfest celebrates 30 years

It started with just forty or so people, standing near heaters in late October, sharing food and sipping wine on a gravel driveway to celebrate the season.

"It would rain and people would be dancing in the puddles," said Fred Koehler, founder of Lynfred Winery in Roselle.

Today, the 30th annual Lynfred Oktoberfest and Pig Roast has come a long way. Almost 2,000 people now show up for the two-day festival, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28 at the winery in Roselle. Koehler said he and his staff also learned to host the outdoor fest in early October, to place better odds on good weather.

"We kept getting better and better and better," Koehler said.

Other events like grape stomping and a barrell-rolling contest joined the lineup, too, making the fest more family-friendly. In addition to these activities, this weekend's Oktoberfest will include roving music during the day and an evening performance by a German band and a grape spitting contest.

But ask Koehler what keeps people coming back year after year and his answer is simple.

"We have good food," he said.

In addition to the roasted pig, which visitors can have as a sandwich or a full meal, served with German potato salad and fixings, Koehler said the winery is known for its grilled sweet corn. Other fall menu items will include grilled bratwurst burgers, Koehler's homemade chili, taffy apples, apple strudel and German chocolate cake.

And while all of Lynfred's wines will be available by the glass, the winery will release it's seasonal Oktoberfest wine at the start of the fest.