Rotary Club of Palatine hosts annual Oktoberfest
The Rotary Club of Palatine will be hosting their 12th Annual Oktoberfest which is open to the public on Friday, September 20th through Sunday, September 22nd on the corner of Smith and Slade in downtown Palatine south of the Metra train station to raise funds for their support of local charities and community projects in the Palatine area.
This free, tented event features authentic German music, food, beverages and activities for all ages. Times of the event are Friday from 5:00 PM until midnight, Saturday from noon until midnight and Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM. "We kick off the festival on Friday at 5:00 PM," said Cindy Stoeckel, Oktoberfest Chair. "One of our Village officials will officiate over the blessing and tapping of the keg ceremony which will start our Oktoberfest celebration. Come party in your lederhosen and dirndl!"
"Everyone knows beer is a large component of any Oktoberfest celebration," said Stoeckel. "There are a number of beers being poured this year, Krombacher Pils which is an imported full-flavored German pilsner along with four great beers brewed locally at the Wild Onion Brewing Company in Lake Barrington, Illinois. 'Oktoberfest' German style lager, 'Hefty-Weiss' Bavarian style Hefe-Weizen, Kolsch a crisp clean German ale and, for those who like something different, try the new Krombacher Radler which is a refreshing mix of beer and lemonade. For the non-beer lover, for the second consecutive year we offer Vander Mill "Vandy" Cider and three different varities of wine Riesling, Merlot and Pinot Grigio. "
The event will also feature authentic German food from vendors including Heybeck's Meat Market, Tre Amici Pizza, Morkes Chocolates, Partners for Our Community, Tap House Grill, Signature Popcorn, the Sons of the American Legion, Friends of the Rotary, Sweet C's Bakery, Covered Bridge Creamy and Kooker's. Heybeck's will be providing bratwurst, a leberkase sandwich, a pig platter as well as more traditional burgers, BBQ and ribs. Tre Amici will be serving cheese as well as a specialty pizzas. Kooker's will be providing a variety of German foods. Sweet C's Bakery will have sweet treats like brownies, funnel cakes and Churro bites. Covered Bridge Creamy will offer ice cream, cones and popcorn.
Tap House Grill will have pretzels with beer cheese and spicy mustard, deep fried schnitzel pork bites and sauerbraten pot roast sliders. Morkes will have a variety of caramel apples, spiced donuts and chocolate bars. Pop and water as well as candy will also be available for purchase from volunteers supporting Partners for Our Community. The American Legion will be providing cheese curds and to complete the meal the Friends of the Rotary will be cooking brats and hot dogs.
Musical entertainment will kick off on Friday night with Phenix from 6:00 PM until Midnight. Saturday's entertainment includes Die Musikmeisters performing at 3:30 PM until 7:30 PM followed by Johnny Wagner at 8:00 PM until Midnight. The musical line up on Sunday features Die Musikmeisters on stage Noon until 2:45 PM followed by Johnny Wagner performing at 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM
This year, Family Day will kick off with an Oktoberfest Family Bike Ride sponsored by the Bike Palatine Club on Saturday morning at the corner of Smith and Slade Streets from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM. Visit www.bikepalatine.com to register or for more information.
Games and activities for Family Day will continue from noon until 4:00 PM with face painting, Police and Fire Department displays, children's raffle prizes and project building by Home Depot. On stage will be musical performances starting at noon with Palatine High School and later Sundling Sound. Vest Dance Troupe and Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance will entertain with dance demonstrations, JP Wood Martial Arts will provide a martial arts demonstration. At approximately 1:00 PM, the winners of Scarecrows on Parade, a scarecrow decorating contest sponsored by the Village of Palatine, will be announced.
"We will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win wine, liquor and outdoor fun baskets as well as flat screen televisions each valued at over $500," said Stoeckel. "We also have wheelbarrows of beer and a Weber grill. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for 5 tickets and the drawing will be on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM. Winners do not have to be present."
View a complete schedule of events and learn more about The Rotary Club of Palatine at www.palatinerotary.com/Oktoberfest, on Facebook or email oktoberfest@palatinerotary.com. Money raised at Oktoberfest helps support charities and community projects. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self - in the community, and throughout the world. The Rotary Club of Palatine meets every Tuesday at 7:15 AM at the Red Apple Pancake House. Email info@palatinerotary.com for details.