Sebastian Bach To Headline Oktoberfest In Downers Grove

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Sebastian Bach, singer, actor and Skid Row's former frontman, is set to headline Downers Grove Oktoberfest, which runs Sept. 17 and Sept. 18. The family-friendly festival will also celebrate German culture with live polka bands, traditional German cuisine and seasonal beer near the Main Street train station.

Other festivities include a bratwurst-eating contest between Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South High Schools and a designated kids' zone with face painting, a petting zoo and other activities.

Live Music

Bach will take the stage at 9:30 p.m. Saturday to close out Oktoberfest. General admission tickets to catch Bach's performance are $25. A limited number of V.I.P. tickets are available for $75. V.I.P. admission includes:

• Seating near front of stage
• Swag bag with beer stein, poster, glossy print, guitar pick, V.I.P. lanyard
• V.I.P. entrance at 935 Burlington Ave.
• Access to V.I.P. bar and restrooms

Festival goers can also buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win $500 cash or a guitar signed by Sebastian Bach. Click the link for Sebastian Bach performance and raffle tickets.

Below is a lineup of other performers you can catch at Downers Grove Oktoberfest:

Sept. 17

3 p.m.: Coach Josh

5 p.m.: Thrill Pill

6:30 p.m.: Dazzlin' Dawn

7 p.m.: Send in the Clones

8:30 p.m.: Stephen Petersen

9 p.m.: The Lounge Puppets

Friday's festivities also feature DJ music from Angel Song Entertainment and a live broadcast from 95.9 The River.

Sept. 18

2 p.m.: Frank K. and Company

4 p.m.: Brat Eating Contest

4:30 p.m.: Wayne Messmer Quartet

The festival will close at 6 p.m. and reopen at 7 p.m. Separate tickets will be required for re-entry.

7 p.m.: TARRA (special ticketed event)

8:30 p.m.: TKO Acoustics (special ticketed event)

9:30 p.m.: Sebastian Bach (special ticketed event)

On Saturday, Angel Song Entertainment will kick off the festivities with music at 12 p.m. There will be a live broadcast from 95.9 The River at 4 p.m. Chicago Wolves mascot Skates is expected to make an appearance as well.

German Food and Seasonal Beer

The food menu at Oktoberfest will feature German favorites that include:

• Bratwurst or knockwurst with grilled onion or sauerkraut
• Chicken schnitzel and gravy with potato pancake, apple sauce and potato salad
• Giant Bavarian soft pretzel with mustard or cheese
• Roasted corn
• Apple strudel
• German chocolate cake

Kids meals will also be available, including hot dogs, chips and a drink.

The beer menu at Oktoberfest will include seasonal craft beers, along domestic and imported brews. The selection may vary, festival organizers wrote on the event's website. Options include:

• Tangled Roots Vermillion River Weiss
• Hacker-Pschorr Brewery
• Sam Adams Oktoberfest
• Paulaner Oktoberfest
• Revolution Oktoberfest
• Miller Lite

Hours

Oktoberfest will take place near the Main Street train station in downtown Downers Grove. Hours are as follows:

• Friday, Sept. 17, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 18 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (separate tickets required for re-entry at 7 p.m.)

Tickets

Ticket prices are as follows for Downers Grove Oktoberfest 2021:

• $5 for senior citizens
• $10 for adults
• $15 for adults (includes beer stein)
• Free admission for military veterans and active service members with valid identification
• Free admission for kids 17 and younger with paying adult

Click the link to buy tickets to Downers Grove Oktoberfest.