Rains cancel Villa Park Oktoberfest
The drenching storms that stalled traffic and flooded basements across the Chicago area Saturday also brought an abrupt halt to Villa Park's Oktoberfest.
Organizers say they hope to resume the festival Sunday after heavy rains and flooding in Lions Park forced them to shut down Friday and Saturday. "We're off for today," said Jenny Casale, program supervisor with the Villa Park Recreation Department, at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday. "Hopefully, if we're able to go ahead tomorrow, the New Invaders have promised to play at 1 o'clock." The band was scheduled to play Friday night, but both shows were canceled because of flooding. Casale said she is hopeful that Sunday's entertainment schedule will go ahead as planned, with a performance by Second Hand Smoke from 3:30 to 5 p.m., preceded by the 1 p.m. New Invaders show. "We're really hoping to be able to do something (Sunday)," she said. Saturday wasn't a total washout at Villa Park's Oktoberfest. "We've had a good turnout for the VFW blood drive," Casale said, adding that about 20 blood donors had given blood by 2 p.m. in the drive scheduled to end Saturday. The wet conditions didn't completely dampen the second and final day of the Naperville Wine Festival Saturday. The outdoor event, held under the shelter of marquee tents on the grounds of Naper Settlement and featuring wine tastings and cooking demonstrations, opened on time at 2 p.m.
"It's open and we've got a few people there - some hardy souls," said Sue Degges, settlement lobby clerk.
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