Rotary Club of Palatine hosts annual Oktoberfest

The Rotary Club of Palatine will be hosting their 14th Annual Oktoberfest which is open to the public on Friday, September 16th through Sunday, September 18th on the corner of Smith and Slade in downtown Palatine south of the Metra train station to raise funds for their support of local charities and community projects in the Palatine area.

The event runs Friday from 5:00 PM until midnight, Saturday from noon until midnight, and Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM. Saturday is also Family Day with games, crafts, and entertainment of interest for children between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.

Admission is free to this tented event that features authentic German music, food, beverages and activities for all ages. “We kick off the festival on Friday at 5:00 PM,” said Charles Young, Palatine Rotary President. “A local dignitary will officiate over the blessing and tapping of the keg ceremony which will start our Oktoberfest event. Come celebrate in your lederhosen and dirndl!”

“Everyone knows beer is a large component of any Oktoberfest celebration,” said Al Stoeckel, Beer Chairman. “There are a number of beers being poured this year. Krombacher Pils which is an imported full-flavored German pilsner and Krombacher Dark brewed from selected varieties of dark roast malt and the finest aromatic hops will be served. Another beer on our menu, Half Acre “Large Town” Oktoberfest beer, a Märzen style brewed by Chicago's own Half Acre Beer Company, is the most popular beer style among the beers in Austria. We will also be offering two different varieties of wine, Merlot and Pinot Grigio, and White Claw hard seltzer.”

The event will also feature authentic German food from vendors including Morkes Chocolates, Tap House Grill, the American Legion, Friends of the Rotary, Schnitzel Platz, Tre Amici Pizza and Kooker’s. Morkes will have a variety of caramel apples, spiced donuts, chocolates and a variety of other sweet treats. Tap House Grill will offer pretzels with beer cheese and spicy mustard, deep fried schnitzel pork bites, sauerbraten pot roast sliders and potato salad. Pop and water will be available for purchase from the Rotary Club of Palatine.

The American Legion will be providing French fries, cheese fries as well as cheese curds and to complete the meal the Friends of the Rotary will be cooking brats and hot dogs. Schnitzel Platz will offer schnitzel sandwiches, frankfurters on buns, pork shank with gravy and sauerkraut balls. Tre Amici will feature sausage, German and Reuben pizza. Kooker’s will have thuringer and brats, a Leberkaese sandwich, a Bavarian plate, salads and desserts.

Musical entertainment will kick off on Friday night with Die Musikmeisters from 5:00 PM until 8:45 PM followed by Midnight The Polkaholics from 9:00 PM until Midnight. Saturday’s entertainment includes Jimmy’s Bavarians performing from 4:00 PM until 7:45 PM followed by Phenix at 8:00 PM until Midnight. The musical line up on Sunday features Die Musikmeisters on stage Noon until 3:00 PM followed by Phenix performing at 3:15 PM until 6:00 PM

Games and activities for Family Day will be on Saturday from 10:30 AM until 3:30 PM with face painting, Police and Fire Department displays, children’s raffle prizes and birdhouse building by Home Depot. On stage will be musical performances starting at 11:40 AM with Palatine and Fremd as well as Hoffman Estates High Schools. German dancers Vest Dance Troupe and Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance will entertain with dance demonstrations. At approximately 1:00 PM, the winners of Scarecrows on Parade, a scarecrow decorating contest sponsored by the Village of Palatine, will be announced.

This year, Family Day will feature an Oktoberfest Family Bike Ride sponsored by the Bike Palatine Club on Sunday morning at the corner of Smith and Slade Streets. Riders are asked to meet at 10:30 AM and the ride will start at 11:00 AM. Visit bikepalatine.com for more information.

“We will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win one of our wine, liquor, or merchant baskets as well as flat screen televisions each valued at over $500,” said Young. “We also have wheelbarrows of beer and a grill. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for 5 tickets. We will hold the drawing on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM and winners need not be present.”

View a complete schedule of events and learn more about The Rotary Club of Palatine at palatinerotary.com/Oktoberfest, on Facebook or email oktoberfest@palatinerotary.com. Money raised at Oktoberfest helps 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 Grand on Northwest Highway in Palatine. Email info@palatinerotary.com for details.