Get out your lederhosen for Palatine Oktoberfest
It's time to celebrate fall, German-style. The Rotary Club of Palatine will hold its 12th annual Oktoberfest Friday, Sept. 20, through Sunday, Sept. 22, on the corner of Smith and Slade streets in downtown Palatine, south of the Metra station.
This free, tented event features authentic German music, food, beverages and activities for all ages. Festival hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
"We kick off the festival on Friday at 5 p.m.," said Cindy Stoeckel, Oktoberfest chairwoman. "One of our village officials will officiate over the blessing and tapping of the keg ceremony, which will start our Oktoberfest celebration. Come party in your lederhosen and dirndl!
"Everyone knows beer is a large component of any Oktoberfest celebration," Stoeckel continued. "There are a number of beers being poured this year. Krombacher Pils, which is an imported, full-flavored German pilsner, along with four great beers brewed locally at the Wild Onion Brewing Company in Lake Barrington: 'Oktoberfest' German-style lager; 'Hefty-Weiss' Bavarian-style Hefe-Weizen; Kolsch, a crisp, clean German ale and, for those who like something different, try the new Krombacher Radler, which is a refreshing mix of beer and lemonade.
"For the non-beer lover, for the second consecutive year, we offer Vander Mill 'Vandy' Cider and three different varieties of wine - Riesling, merlot and pinot grigio. "
The event will also feature authentic German food and other food from vendors, including Heybeck's Meat Market, Tre Amici Pizza, Morkes Chocolates, Partners for Our Community, Tap House Grill, Signature Popcorn, the Sons of the American Legion, Friends of the Rotary, Sweet C's Bakery, Covered Bridge Creamy and Kooker's.
Heybeck's will offer bratwurst, a leberkase sandwich, a pig platter, as well as more traditional burgers, BBQ and ribs. Tre Amici will be serving cheese, as well as specialty pizzas. Kooker's will be providing a variety of German foods. Sweet C's Bakery will have sweet treats like brownies, funnel cakes and churro bites. Covered Bridge Creamery will offer ice cream, cones and popcorn.
Tap House Grill will have pretzels with beer cheese and spicy mustard, deep fried schnitzel pork bites and sauerbraten pot roast sliders. Morkes will have a variety of caramel apples, spiced doughnuts and chocolate bars.
Pop and water, as well as candy, will also be available for purchase from volunteers supporting Partners for Our Community. The American Legion will be providing cheese curds, and to complete the meal, Friends of the Rotary will be cooking brats and hot dogs.
Musical entertainment will kick off Friday with Phenix from 6 p.m. until midnight. Saturday's entertainment includes Die Musikmeisters performing from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by Johnny Wagner from 8 p.m. until midnight.
The musical lineup on Sunday features Die Musikmeisters on stage from noon until 2:45 p.m., followed by Johnny Wagner from 3 to 6 p.m.
This year, Family Day will kick off with an Oktoberfest Family Bike Ride sponsored by the Bike Palatine Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the corner of Smith and Slade streets. Visit www.bikepalatine.com to register or for information.
Games and activities for Family Day will continue from noon to 4 p.m. with face painting, police and fire department displays, children's raffle prizes and project building by Home Depot. On stage will be musical performances starting at noon with Palatine High School and, later, Sundling Sound.
Vest Dance Troupe and Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance will entertain with dance demonstrations, and JP Wood Martial Arts will provide a martial arts demonstration. At approximately 1 p.m., the winners of Scarecrows on Parade, a scarecrow decorating contest sponsored by the village of Palatine, will be announced.
"We will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win wine, liquor and outdoor fun baskets, as well as flat screen televisions, each valued at over $500," said Stoeckel.
"We also have wheelbarrows of beer and a Weber grill. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for five tickets, and the drawing will be on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Winners do not have to be present."
View a complete schedule of events and learn more about The Rotary Club of Palatine at www.palatinerotary.com/Oktoberfest, on Facebook or email oktoberfest@palatinerotary.com. Money raised at Oktoberfest helps support charities and community projects.
The Rotary Club of Palatine meets Tuesdays at 7:15 a.m. at the Red Apple Pancake House. For more information, email info@palatinerotary.com.
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Rotary Club of Palatine's Oktoberfest
When: 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 20; noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 21; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22
Where: Towne Square, Slade and Smith streets, Palatine
Admission: Free
Details: www.palatinerotary.com/Oktoberfest