Prost! Itasca Oktoberfest returns for 16th year Sept. 6-7
Enjoy authentic German food, live music, and fun activities for the family at the 16th annual Itasca Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7. Wear your lederhosen and dirndls, and join them for an evening of community spirit and festivity!
Festival hours are 5 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and 3 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road. Admission and parking are free.
It will open at 5 p.m. Friday with the tapping of the first keg by Mayor Jeff Pruyn. Then enjoy lively tunes of Bratwurst Brothers starting at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, the sounds of the Alpine Thunder Band will fill the park from 3 to 6 p.m., then immerse yourself in the energetic rhythms of Euro Express from 7 to 10 p.m.
The village will be selling German hats for $5 each or our new Oktoberfest Hawaiian shirts for $15; cash only, please. All proceeds will benefit the Itasca Walk-In Ministry and Food Pantry. For information, visit www.itasca.com.
Oktoberfast 5K Run
Get into the Oktoberfest spirit by signing up for the Itasca Runners Club’s 14th annual Oktoberfast 5K Run on Saturday, Sept. 7.
If running isn't your thing, your cheers and support along the route are always welcomed. Registration is open through race day, so you can still join in the excitement.
The race starts at 9 a.m. on West Grove Street. The chip-timed race follows a fast and scenic neighborhood route through Itasca, with a downhill finish into Wesley G. Usher Memorial Park at 203 S. Walnut St. for a post-race party with music, food, drinks, and awards.
Watch for road closures that will be in effect on the south side of town during the event. A map of the race route can be found on the event website, itascaoktoberfast5k.org, as well as on the village's website.
The fee by Aug. 31 is $38.10 or $42.34 from Sept. 1-7.
The Oktoberfast 5K is presented by the Itasca Runners Club which is a nonprofit organization and a member of Road Runners of America, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Proceeds from the Itasca OktoberFast 5K benefits local organizations that are dedicated to providing support to families and individuals in need by providing food, emergency assistance, mentoring, or financial assistance to promote healthy, active, and productive lifestyles.
The 5K is supported by Xtra Mile Running. Early race-packet pickup is available from their store in Schaumburg from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, and noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. Runners will receive 10% off any purchase during packet pickup. Race-day packet pickup is available from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
If you have any questions about this race, email the race director at itasca5k@gmail.com.
Not running? There are plenty of options to volunteer before, during, or after the race. For details, email itasca5k@gmail.com or call Joe at (847) 445-9743.