Rotary Club of Palatine hosts annual Oktoberfest Sept. 20-22
The Rotary Club of Palatine will be hosting its 16th annual Oktoberfest, which is open to the public, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-22, on the corner of Smith and Slade streets, in downtown Palatine, just south of the Metra train station. Proceeds from the event will benefit local charities and community projects in the Palatine area.
Event hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday from noon to midnight; and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday is designated as Family Day, featuring games, crafts and entertainment for children.
Admission is free to this event that features authentic German music, food, beverages and activities for all ages.
“We kick off the festival on Friday at 5 p.m.,” said Hank Sobotka, Palatine Rotary president. “One of our village officials will officiate over the blessing and tapping of the keg ceremony which will start our Oktoberfest event. Come celebrate in your lederhosen and dirndl!”
Rotary will be collaborating with several organizations to create a low waste event. Composting and recycling stations will be in place to reduce landfill waste.
“Our club is concerned about the environment, and this event provides an opportunity for us to contribute to keeping the community clean in a fun and environmentally friendly manner,” said Randy Klingner, Palatine Rotary environmental chairman.
“Everyone knows beer is a large component of any Oktoberfest celebration,” said Al Stoeckel, beer chairman. “There are a number of beers being poured this year. Paulaner Pils which is an imported full-flavored German pilsner. Another beer on our menu, Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen is a medium amber lager. We also have Hacker-Pschorr Weissbier which is naturally cloudy, full-flavored and uniquely refreshing as well as Paulaner Grapefruit Radler a fruity-tart, 100% natural, not too sweet beer since it’s made with less sugar than common radlers. We will also be offering two different varieties of wine, merlot and Pinot Grigio, as well as White Claw hard seltzer.”
The event will also feature authentic German food from vendors including Morkes Chocolates, Tap House Grill, Friends of the Rotary, Tre Amici Pizza, Kooker’s, Folklorica Bakery, Annie’s Restaurant & Pancake Shop, Daisy’s Ice Cream Shop and Rep’s Burgers. Morkes will have a variety of caramel apples, spiced doughnuts and other sweet treats. Tap House Grill will offer pretzels with cheese, deep fried schnitzel chicken bites, sauerbraten pot roast sliders and potato salad. Pop and water will be available for purchase from the Rotary Club of Palatine.
The Friends of the Rotary will be cooking brats and hot dogs. Tre Amici will feature sausage, German and Reuben pizza. Kooker’s will have Thuringer and brats, a Leberkaese sandwich, a German pretzel with cheese, salads and desserts. Folklorica Bakery will serve Lebkuchenherzen necklaces, lemon lime pair and a variety of cookies. Annie’s will have German crepes and benedicts, Hungarian goulash and caramel apple cheesecake. Daisy’s will feature ice cream sandwiches, fudge brownie sundaes and ice cream floats. New this year is Rep’s Burgers and their spaetzle, knackwurst and their German style burger.
Musical entertainment will kick off on Friday night with Die Musikmeisters from 5-8:30 p.m., followed by Zicke Zacke Party Band from 9 p.m. until midnight. Saturday’s entertainment includes Alpine Thunder from noon until 3:30 p.m., Dirndolls performing from 4-6:30 p.m., followed by Phenix at 7 p.m. until midnight. The musical line up on Sunday features Die Musikmeisters on stage noon to 6 p.m., with the Rhinemaidens and their alphorn demonstration during the band breaks.
Games and activities for Family Day will be on Saturday from noon until 3:30 p.m., with face painting, balloon art, fire department displays, children’s raffle prizes and birdhouse building by Home Depot. At approximately 12:30 p.m., the winners of Scarecrows on Parade, a scarecrow decorating contest sponsored by the village of Palatine, will be announced.
This year, Family Day will feature an Oktoberfest Family Bike Ride, sponsored by the Bike Palatine Club on Saturday morning at Towne Square, on the corner of Smith and Slade streets. Riders are asked to meet at 10:30 a.m., and the ride will start at 11 a.m. For information, visit bikepalatine.com.
“We will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win one of our wine, liquor, or merchant baskets as well as other great prizes,” said Gardner. “We also have wheelbarrows of beer and a grill. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for 5 tickets. We will hold the drawing on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m., and winners need not be present.”
View a complete schedule of events and learn more about The Rotary Club of Palatine at palatinerotary.org, on Facebook or email oktoberfest@palatinerotary.org.
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 7:30 a.m., at Annie's Restaurant and Pancake House, 154 W. Northwest Highway in Palatine. For more information, email info@palatinerotary.org.