Elgin Rotary, Fox River Trolley Museum to host Oktoberfest Sept. 29-Oct. 1
The Fox River Trolley Museum and Rotary Club of Elgin are teaming up to bring an Oktoberfest celebration to South Elgin.
The three-day fest will be held Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at Fox River Trolley Museum, 365 S. LaFox St. (Route 31).
Festival hours will be 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. No admission is charged for the events at the main museum. Trolley rides will require the purchase of a ticket at the regular admission prices. Tickets will be available for sale at the Castlemuir Depot at the main museum location.
There will be musical entertainment with The Polkaholics, mixing rock and polka, from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. The Frank "K" Duo will be performing from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the Ed Wagner Brass Band from 7 to 10 p.m. Adi the DJ will perform during the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.
The Gail Borden Public Library Bookmobile will be on site from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. On all three days, there will be a 50/50 raffle, basket raffles and games.
There will be food from Ream's Wurst Wagon (German sausages, pretzels and more) and El Tarasco Tacos, as well as German beer and wine, and soft drinks.
The Fox River Trolley Museum is showcasing the preservation work on the trolley cars. Trolley ride tickets are $8 for age 12 to 64; $5 for age 3 to 11; or $6 for 65 or older and first responders, active military, and veterans. It is free for kids under age 3.
The museum is planning for its upcoming Halloween and Polar Express events. These event sell out quickly. The Fox River Trolley Museum Foundation is entrusted to restore and preserve the past for future generations to enjoy. From the trolley that served Elgin to Aurora, to the Chicago 90 mph Northshore Milwaukee Trolley, vintage locomotives, and antique caboose - the museum has many treasures. The museum volunteers enjoy sharing the joy and history of rail travel of a 100 years ago. For more information, visit www.foxtrolley.org.
The Rotary Club of Elgin is a civic organization of members and volunteers. In the past year, the club has given out a total of $33,000 in grants for scholarship, community project grants, and international projects. The club members have sponsored and volunteered at many community projects.
Club members are currently collecting new children's socks which will be given to over 900 families served by the Salvation Army's Home for the Holidays gift program. You can help by bringing socks to feed to the Sock Monster at Oktoberfest. Socks can be sized infant to teen. There is also a multi-club event Nov. 15 to pack means for Ukraine.
For more information, visit www.RotaryClubofElgin.org or call (847) 888-2555 ask for Laurie.
Oktoberfest could not be held without generous sponsors and volunteers. The support received from local businesses and organizations is greatly appreciated. Besides the members of the Rotary Club of Elgin and Fox River Trolley Museum, sponsors include: St. Edwards Catholic High School, Royal Coach Ltd., Bear Family Restaurants, IEC Hobbies & Gifts, KCT Credit Union, Friend of Gail Borden Public Library District, Elgin Community College, Elgin State Bank, Karen Smith & Nancy Christensen of Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices, YWCA Elgin, Ecker Center for Behavioral Health, Brittain's Express Oil & Lube, Elgin Area Chamber, Union National Bank, South Elgin Economic Development, and Rafael Villagomez of ReMax.
This is a fundraiser to help the museum with preservation projects and the Rotary Club with scholarships and community projects. For information, sponsor links, and event schedule, go to www.Rotary5000.org.