Mount Prospect's Fall Fest/Oktoberfest offers seasonal fun for all ages

Back in 2005, Mount Prospect debuted its Fall Fest event on the south side of the train tracks at the intersection of Wille Street and Prospect Avenue with the goal of providing a family-friendly, fun and free celebration.

And as Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association President Chad Busse of Busse Automotive and Busse Car Wash recalls, a conversation during Fall Fest cleanup one year changed the course of the event in a big way.

“A conversation ensued about how fun it would be to roll Oktoberfest into the mix,” he said.

In 2007, that's exactly what happened, and, a decade later, Mount Prospect's Fall Fest/Oktoberfest is bigger than ever. The 2017 version takes place from 4-11 p.m. Friday and 1-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13-14, at 50 S. Emerson St. in Mount Prospect (intersection of Emerson and Busse).

“The event is well-attended,” Busse said. “The idea that was formed from the beginning was to draw people to downtown Mount Prospect. That's the founding principle of the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants. We are there to provide family-friendly, fun and communitywide events. These events bring people to downtown Mount Prospect to see what we have to offer.”

Friday's festivities are geared more toward the adult crowd, where a beer tent will be featured along with a number of local food vendors. Beers on hand include Hacker-Pschorr (Oktoberfest), Miller Lite and Algonquin-based Scorched Earth Brewing Co., which will offer a special Fest Bier.

Food vendors include Mt. Prospect-based Central Continental Bakery, Mrs. P & Me restaurant and Completely Nuts, makers of a variety of nuts. The Mount Prospect Junior Women's Club will also be on hand selling a variety of items.

Food vendors will be in the Chase bank parking lot, while the beer tent will be across the parking lot on Emerson, Busse said.

The Phenix Band will play German music both Friday and Saturday evenings.

Saturday's day starts with the kids-oriented Fall Fest from 1-4 p.m. Children of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes and participate in a trick-or-treat event with local businesses.

Busse said more than 30 local businesses will take part in the trick-or-treating U-shaped area on Emerson Street, between Edible Arrangements and Italian restaurant Canta Napoli.

Other activities include pumpkin decorating, a craft table, balloon decorations and a scarecrow-making booth, where donated clothes will help stuff the scarecrows. Pony rides and bounce houses also are on the kid-focused fun docket Saturday.

“People have come to know about the Saturday Fall Fest. It's popular with families,” said Busse. “There's a lot going on that families can enjoy.”

Friday's adult-oriented entertainment ramps up again Saturday from 4 -11 p.m.

And, Busse noted, the event, which is run in collaboration with the village of Mount Prospect and Mount Prospect Public Works, is prepared should the Cubs be playing on either night in the National League championship series.

“The last couple years we've had to contend with the Cubs,” he said. “We've rented and set up a giant TV screen so people can enjoy the Cubs and our Oktoberfest at the same time.”

The village of Mount Prospect also will have a dedication and time-capsule ceremony at 11 a.m., Saturday as a wrap-up event for the village's centennial celebration. The ceremony takes place on Centennial Green, which is the grassy area in front of the Mount Prospect Village Hall a the intersection of Emerson and Busse.

For details on the free events, visit www.mpdowntown.com.

Mount Prospect Fall Festival/Oktoberfest

<b>When:</b> 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, and 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14

<b>Where:</b> 50 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect

<b>Admission:</b> Free

<b>Details:</b> <a href="http://www.mpdowntown.com. ">mpdowntown.com</a>