Itasca celebrates Oktoberfest and fire district's 100th year this weekend

Posted September 09, 2009 11:00 pm

By Elisabeth Mistretta

This weekend, Itasca is reveling in the excitement of something still new while celebrating the achievements of something quite old.

The town's second Oktoberfest runs Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12. Organizers brought it back because last year's inaugural event proved such a success.

And on Saturday morning, the Itasca Fire Protection District will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a parade that includes up to 35 displays of both antique and modern fire equipment.

"I think the community loved Oktoberfest and it was a great idea," Village Manager Dave Williams said. "And since our fest is falling on the same day as the fire anniversary, we're really thrilled to have the energy of both events this year."

The festival will include live music, performances by German dancers Heimat Auerhahan Tanz Gruppe, a kids corner and authentic German food. On Friday, organizers will collect donations for the Itasca Food Pantry and Walk-in Ministry.

Williams said the fest is following the same formula that created success in 2008 and drew approximately 6,000 visitors.

"People kept asking if we'd done Oktoberfest before because it just came together so smoothly," Williams said. "But it took a lot of work and cooperation from all parts of the village, including the park district and the library."

While officials are unsure whether the festival will expand in the coming years, they do confirm their hopes that Oktoberfest will become an annual tradition.

One element that will compliment this weekend's fest, however, is the fire protection district's 100th anniversary parade on Saturday, which starts at 10 a.m., several hours before Oktoberfest launches its final day.

Fourteen local fire departments will join the celebration, marching along with collectors who will display their classic and new fire trucks. The parade will start at Franzen School on Catalpa Street, travel east to Walnut Street and continue south to Irving Park Road.

Following the parade, all the fire apparatus will reassemble at noon on the grounds of the National Safety Council, 1121 Spring Lake Drive, for a fire muster. There, collectors and vendors will exhibit and sell fire memorabilia. The event also will include food, face painting, a balloon artist, an inflatable bounce gym and a fire safety smoke house. Children and adults also can try handling a fire hose while putting water on a simulated house fire display.

Assistant Fire Chief Greg McDonald said the event will celebrate the district's growth from an all-volunteer group to 26 full-time rescue workers. He also said he agrees that both the parade and Oktoberfest will compliment each other.

"This should be a pretty lively town for a few days," McDonald said.

For details on the parade, visit itasca.com, click "Fire District," then click "A Century of Service" or call (630) 773-1223. For details on Oktoberfest, visit the main Web page at itasca.com.

Itasca Oktoberfest The festival runs 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, and 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in downtown Itasca on Orchard Street. Includes German food, German attire contest, kids corner, live music and German dancing. Admission and parking are free. Info: itasca.com. FRIDAY 5 p.m. Opening cermonies 5 to 8 p.m. Kids Corner 7 to 11 p.m. Peggy Mueller Band; Heimat Auerhahan Tanz Gruppe performs German dances between sets SATURDAY 3 to 6 p.m. Jimmy's Bavarians 5 to 8 p.m. Kids Corner 7 to 11 p..m. Johnny Wagner Band; Heimat Auerhahan Tanz Gruppe performs German dances between sets

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