Hoffman Estates' Platzkonzert Germanfest pleases crowd with beer, music and more

With plenty of German food, beer and music on hand, Hoffman Estates' Platzkonzert Germanfest offered a complete Oktoberfest experience in September.

And there were even activities for the kids.

"It's one of the rare Oktoberfests anywhere in Chicagoland that's free and has a kids area," said Ryan Johnson, the village's liaison to the festival.

For many of the thousands who attended the weekend festival, it was a chance to get in touch with their German roots.

Hoffman Estates Trustee Gary Pilafas, whose wife Michelle started the event 15 years ago with the village's arts commission, said more than 7,000 people attended on Friday, while around 15,000 came Saturday. Sunday drew a smaller crowd.

Johnson said planners only had a short time to put everything together, and they faced supply chain issues. Items such as hot dog buns and German beers were hard to procure.

"All those hiccups were really difficult to overcome," he said, "(We) were stockpiling as we went."

Co-chair Gayle Vandenbergh said finding enough volunteers was tough as well.

The event, held at the Virginia Mary Hayter Village Green, is a collaboration that includes the village, the Hoffman Estates Park District and such sponsors as Audi Hoffman Estates,

Among the weekend's highlights were Friday night fireworks and Saturday's stein-carrying contest.

For children, the Kinderplatz area was available, with adjustments to accommodate the pandemic including an open obstacle course instead of an enclosed bounce house.

Bartlett residents Tony and Denise Fini enjoyed the food and music, with Denise saying she favored the giant pretzel.

"This works out well for us, because we used to go to Hans' Bavarian Lodge to eat all the time," Tony said. "And that closed down a number of years ago. So when they started this here, it was so nice and convenient."

Tom and Lucy Ruzicka from Elgin noshed on knackwurst and a schnitzel sandwich with German potato salad, while quaffing down beer in the tent and listening to Die Musikmeisters Band, which played everything from polka to the Beatles.

"I was raised on all this stuff," she said.

Mary Streufert from Streamwood said she has been to Munich for Oktoberfest, "so I love that a smaller version is here."