Thousands come out to Lynfred Winery Oktoberfest in Roselle

Kaleb Cager took off his shoes and slowly made his way into the wooden vat as a German band played nearby.

The five-year-old from Hanover Park spent Sunday stomping grapes during the Lynfred Winery's Oktoberfest and Pig Roast in Roselle.

More than 1,000 people flocked to the second day of the festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this weekend.

Organizers, anticipating the huge crowds, stocked roughly 3,000 ears of sweet corn and 10 pigs that provided roughly 1,800 pounds of pulled pork for the event.

Festival goers had their chances to compete in grape stomping, grape spitting and barrel-rolling contests, all to the tunes of a roving German band.

"This is just a great place to hang out," said Pat Murphy, who came with friends Chris Mitchell and Linda Bert.

Bert took a try at the adult grape stomping competition last year, but decided to sit out this year.

"It was fun and I'm pretty sure I was winning," the Streamwood woman said. "Then I had an asthma attack."

Dan Throne brought his wife and three daughters to Sunday's fest after church.

"I saw it as a good way to do a family event," he said as one of his daughters, 7-year-old Alaina, waited her turn to jump in the grape barrel.

Even Fred Koehler, the winery's founder, was planning to get into the spirit. But his priority, of course, remained with his guests.

"I haven't had a chance to enjoy it all yet," he said. "But I will right after we close."