Rotary Club of Palatine hosts annual Oktoberfest

The Rotary Club of Palatine will be hosting their 9th annual Oktoberfest which is open to the public on Friday, September 16th through Sunday, September 18th on the corner of Smith and Slade Streets in downtown Palatine south of the Metra train station to raise funds for their support of local charities and community projects.

This free, tented event features authentic German music, food, beverages and activities for all ages. Times of the event are Friday from 5:00 PM until midnight, Saturday from noon until midnight and Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM. “We kick off the festival on Friday at 5:00 PM,” said Cindy Stoeckel, Oktoberfest Co-Chair. “Mayor Jim Schwantz will officiate over the blessing and tapping of the keg ceremony which will start our Oktoberfest celebration.”

“Beer is a large component of any Oktoberfest celebration,” said Oktoberfest Co-Chair, Jeff Johnson. “Beverages include Schofferhofer Grapefruit which tastes like a grapefruit Hefeweizen, Radeberger a German style pilsner, Dab which is a German dortmunder and two locally brewed beers from the Wild Onion Brewing Company in Lake Barrington; ‘Oktoberfest’ is a German style amber lager and ‘Hefty-Weiss’ is their interpretation of a traditional Bavarian Hefeweiss. Along with our beer selection we will also be offering a variety of wine.”

The event will also feature authentic German food from vendors including Heybeck’s Meat Market, Tre Amici Pizza, Edelweiss Delicatessen & Catering, Rockin Rodizio, Partners for Our Community and the Sons of the American Legion. Heybeck’s will be providing bratwurst, a leberkase sandwich, a pig platter as well as more traditional burgers, BBQ and ribs. Rockin Rodizio will have their turkey leg, pork chop, chicken and pig candy. Tre Amici will be serving cheese and sausage pizzas as well as a specialty pizza. Edelweiss will be serving pretzels, a chicken schnitzel sandwich, bratwurst and a variety of salads. The American Legion will be adding corn, baked potatoes and landjaeger sausage to the Oktoberfest food offerings.

For sweets, Morkes Chocolates will supply the treats. Morkes will have a variety of caramel apples, spiced donuts and chocolate bars. Pop and water as well as popcorn will also be available for purchase from volunteers supporting The Partners for Our Community.

Musical entertainment will kick off on Friday night September 16th with Paloma Band from 5:00 PM to 7:45 PM followed by Phenix at 8:00 PM until Midnight. Saturday, September 17th entertainment includes Die Musikmeisters performing at 3:30 PM until 7:30 PM followed by Phenix at 8:00 PM until midnight. The musical line up on Sunday features Die Musikmeisters on stage Noon until 2:45 PM followed by Johnny Wagner performing at 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM.

Family day activities will be held on Saturday from noon until 3:00 PM. This year, Family Day will kick off with an Oktoberfest Family Bike Ride sponsored by the Bike Palatine Club on Saturday morning at the corner of Smith and Slade Streets. Registration is at 11:00 AM on the day of the event. The ride starts at 11:30 AM. Visit www.bikepalatine.com for more information.

Games and activities for Family Day will continue from noon until 3:00 PM with face painting, Police and Fire Department displays, balloon-art, children’s raffle prizes and project building by Home Depot. On stage will be musical performances starting at noon by Palatine High School and Plum Grove Junior High orchestras as well as the Quest Academy Choir. Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance will entertain with dance demonstrations and JP Wood Martial Arts will provide a martial arts demonstration.

At approximately 1:00 PM, the winners of Scarecrows on Parade, a scarecrow decorating contest sponsored by the Village of Palatine, will be announced. The Palatine 150 Committee will then announce the nine winners of the District 15 Sesquicentennial Poster Contest. "We'll also be sharing details of the Palatine 150 Gala on Saturday, October 22nd at The Cotillion Banquets," said Melanie Santostefano, Palatine 150 spokesperson. "You'll enjoy a four course meal, live entertainment and a program highlighting Palatine’s 150th birthday."

The Rotary Club of Palatine will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win one of 24 baskets each valued at over $500. “We had generous donations this year of over $36,000.00 which helped us make a great array of raffle baskets,” said Ed Fee, Oktoberfest Co-Chair. “Highlights include a Weber grill as well as various wine, liquor and merchant baskets. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for 5 tickets and the drawing will be on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 PM. 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 or email oktoberfest@palatinerotary.com. Money raised at Oktoberfest help support charities and community projects. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self — in the community, and throughout the world. The Rotary Club of Palatine meets every Tuesday at 7:15 AM at the Red Apple Pancake House. Email info@palatinerotary.com for details.