Festival in Buffalo Grove celebrates Oktoberfest in August
Oktoberfest in August, one of the biggest Chicago-area German festivals, runs from Friday through Sunday, Aug. 18-20, at the Schwaben Center, 301 N. Weiland Road, Buffalo Grove.
The 140th annual summer festival is hosted by the Schwaben Verein of Chicago, a social and charitable club, under a big party tent, rain or shine.
The festival features German and domestic beer, bratwurst, German food, live entertainment, singers, dancers and a balloon man, among other activities.
Admission is $10; free for children and teens younger than 17, as are parking and entertainment.
Food, drink and amusement games require tickets sold on-site. A portion of Friday's proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities, while a portion of Saturday's and Sunday's proceeds will go to support local charities and nonprofits chosen by Schwaben Verein.
Schwaben Verein of Chicago was founded in 1878 as a mutual aid society for the many emigrants from "Schwaben," an area in Germany's southwest that is part of the German states of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria.
It continues as a social and charitable club (Verein) for people with all kinds of middle European origins and connections.
For more festival information, visit www.oktoberfestinaugust.com, call (847) 344-1066, or email thespicemann@yahoo.com.
Event highlights
FRIDAY
7 to 11 p.m. Chef Dan and the Appetizers, contemporary music and oldies
SATURDAY
1 to 2:30 p.m. Amazing Mike (one-man band)
2:45 to 3 p.m. BISI Dancers
3:30 to 5 p.m. Amazing Mike
5 to 10 p.m. Phenix (most popular Chicago German band)
6:45 p.m. Tapping of the beer keg
7 to 7:30 p.m. Holtzuckers German dancers
SUNDAY
Noon to 2 p.m. Amazing Mike
2 to 3 p.m. Tribute to Armin Homann
3 to 4 p.m. German Consulate, speeches
4 to 8 p.m. Alte Kameraden (popular Wisconsin German band)