Fun will be flowing at Itasca's first Oktoberfest

Itasca's first Oktoberfest is expected to bring in crowd after crowd.

Families, friends and employees can enjoy German beer, juicy bratwurst, live entertainment, and kids activities from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday on Orchard Street in downtown Itasca. Parking and admission are free.

The festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. Friday under a large beer tent with Mayor Gigi Gruber tapping the first keg of beer.

The Westin Hotel will be selling bratwurst, knackwurst and sauerkraut, sliced pork lion and cabbage, meatballs in a mushroom cream sauce and spaetzle. There also will be hot dogs, corn dogs, hamburgers and nachos for the younger ones.

"It's a good community outreach," said Rick Brogan of the Oktoberfest Committee. "Plus, it's also good for us so people know Itasca is a place of quality."

Orchard Street, from Irving Park Road to Center Street, will be completely blocked off to traffic.

"We've made accommodations for a lot of people," Brogan said. "If it becomes bigger, then we expand out."

The entertainment lineup includes D'Lustigen Holzhacker Baum, The Johnny Wagner Band, German oompah band and Die Musikmeisters.

The Village of Itasca also will be hosting Kids Corner, featuring interactive activities for children.

Thursday will be Business Appreciation Night at The Westin Chicago Northwest at 400 Park Blvd.

Brogan hopes many will attend.

"I look forward to meeting some of the new business people," he said, "and thanking some of the older businesses for staying in Itasca."

Itasca Oktoberfest

Itasca's inaugural Oktoberfest runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday along Orchard Street in downtown Itasca. Admission is free. Includes German food, music, dance and a contest for the best German attire. Admission and parking are free. Call (630) 773-1004.

FRIDAY

5 p.m. Opening ceremonies: Mayor Gigi Gruber taps the first keg of beer

5 to 9 p.m. Kids corner activites

5 to 11 p.m. D'Lustigen Holzhacker Buam, authentic German dance

7 to 11 p.m. Johnny Wagner Band, Bavarian music

SATURDAY

3 to 6 p.m. Alte Kameraden Quartet

3 p.m. to midnight D'Lustigen Holzhacker Buam, authentic German dance

3 to 8 p.m. Kids corner

7 p.m. to midnight Die Musikmeisterd Band, A German oompah band