Community Invited To Oktoberfest Celebration

Oktoberfest will come early to Buffalo Grove this year with a three-day celebration this weekend at the Schwaben Center, 301 N. Weiland Road.

The event, which runs Friday through Sunday, will feature mainstream entertainment as well as traditional German music and dancing.

Schwaben Verein of Chicago has long held a summer bash to help raise the money needed to maintain the Schwaben Center’s four soccer fields used by the Schwaben Athletic Club. The organization sponsors a youth soccer program for players from Buffalo Grove and other nearby suburbs.

The Oktoberfest theme was adopted just a few years ago, but despite its name, the event has remained on the organization’s August calendar.

“It’s cold during Oktoberfest and not a lot of people come out," said Harry Vizethum, a Schwaben Verein member who serves on the Oktoberfest planning committee.

“Oktoberfest means fun. It means, ‘go out and have fun,’ ” Vizethum said. “There will be a lot of beer drinking, brat eating and people behaving themselves as well.”

Though run by a German social club, the event is open to the public and will include many nontraditional activities, such as Baggo, carnival games and funnel cake, as well as German music and Polka dancing.

The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday with music by Chef Dan and the Appetizers, featuring Eddie V from the 104.5 FM morning show, following the band Crisis, which will play classic rock, country and Motown music.

“It’s for all generations,” Vizethum said. “We need to get the younger generation out there to have a good time. We’re trying to change it so that it’s fun for everybody.”

Weekend festivities will include activities for those who yearn for a more traditional Oktoberfest celebration. See the attached PDF for the full entertainment schedule.

Oktoberfest runs from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Friday, 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free Friday and $5 for guests 12 and older on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit the event website.