Enjoy food, beer and music at Oktoberfest
Visitors can experience a weekend full of live music and German food and beer under a large heated tent at Naper Settlement's annual Oktoberfest.
The event runs 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville.
Visitors will enjoy different music each day, including a Polka Party Friday, a Rocktoberfest Saturday and a traditional Bavarian Sunday. Family-friendly activities and competitive games will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
"Oktoberfest celebrates Naperville's German heritage, with cultural expressions that include German folk music and delicious culinary classics," said Adison Glick, Naper Settlement's special events & large scale rentals coordinator.
"We're excited to offer our visitors an extra day this year, and watch the adults compete in our stein holding competition on Saturday."
Kicking off Polka Party Friday will be Alpine Thunder, a lively German folk/pop band, followed by local German polka-punk favorite the Polkaholics. Performing for more than 20 years together, the Chicago-based band got its start after guitarist Don Hedeker decided to fuse his two main influences: the polka standards and the '70s punk explosion.
As the only polka band in the world with a guitar-based setup, Alpine Thunder performs polka music with a Ramones twist.
"Polka and punk is really about breaking down barriers, so visitors can expect to have a good time," Hedeker said. "We were coming to Naper Settlement's Oktoberfest for several years in a row, so we're very happy to be coming back."
Visitors will rock out on Saturday beginning with the lively German folk band Die Musikmeisters Band, followed by the rock and polka hybrid group Freeze Dried. The night will finish off with a Chicago favorite, Stache.
Known for its unique twist on everything from today's pop hits to '80s rock anthems, Stache will entertain the audience with a high-energy musical performance.
"We are always trying to surprise our audience," said Ryan Shoonover, lead vocalist of Stache. "We play anything from 20 to 30 outdoor festivals every year, and Oktoberfests are one of our favorites. We just try to play music that people will really enjoy and have a good time with."
Traditional Bavarian Sunday will begin with three-time Grammy nominee Jimmy's Bavarians. The band has performed at countless Oktoberfest celebrations through the years in the U.S. and overseas, and never misses the opportunity to perform with its 12-foot-long alphorn.
The weekend will end with an Oktoberfest favorite, The Happy Wanderers.
The children's area features activities from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and include Pinot's Palette, where kids can create their own masterpiece, and PRO Martial Arts, who will show kids how to break a board.
Naper Settlement's museum educators also will have old-fashioned amusements for children and lawn games for everyone to play.
The food and beer is the signature of any Oktoberfest, and Schamberger Bros. is providing the variety of beer. Hofbrau Oktoberfest and Spaten Oktoberfest are the traditional German beers on tap.
The American craft beer scene is represented with Bell's Octoberfest, and the beer lineup finishes with the sweet and unique German Schofferhofer grapefruit.
There also will be a wine selection boasting a riesling, and other varietals from Rodney Strong Vineyards. Food will include traditional German fare, including bratwurst, sauerkraut and more by MyChef Catering; handmade pretzels by DeEtta's Bakery; and bundtlets by Nothing Bundt Cake.
"This year's event falls early in October and will be the perfect way to end the outdoor party season," said John Schamberger, owner of Schamberger Bros., Inc.
"Our beer offerings will each bring a different flavor and finish, and will satisfy all of our visitors attending the weekend-long event. Don't miss two of the best German brews made for Munich's Oktoberfest, the Hofbrau Oktoberfest and Spaten Oktoberfest"
Tickets to Oktoberfest are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 4-12, and free for members and children 4 and younger. Advance ticket sales will end at noon Thursday, Oct. 5. Tickets are available at www.napersettlement.org/Oktoberfest.