Rotary Club of Palatine hosts annual Oktoberfest

The Rotary Club of Palatine will be hosting their 15th Annual Oktoberfest which is open to the public on Friday, September 15th through Sunday, September 17th 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.

Admission is free to this 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 Melissa Gardner, Palatine Rotary President. “One of our Village officials will officiate over the blessing and tapping of the keg ceremony which will start our Oktoberfest event. Come celebrate in your lederhosen and dirndl!”

We will be collaborating with several organizations to create a low waste event. Composting and recycling stations will be in place to reduce landfill waste. “Our club is concerned about the environment, and this event provides an opportunity for us to contribute to keeping the community clean in a fun and environmentally friendly manner,” said Randy Klingner, Palatine Rotary Environmental Chairman.

“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. Another beer on our menu, Half Acre “Lager 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. In addition, Half Acre has brewed a hefeweizen with deep roots in the Bavarian tradition. 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, Friends of the Rotary, Schnitzel Platz, Tre Amici Pizza, Kooker’s and Pizza Bella. Morkes will have a variety of caramel apples, spiced donuts and other sweet treats. Tap House Grill will offer pretzels with cheese, 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 Friends of the Rotary will be cooking brats and hot dogs. Schnitzel Platz will offer schnitzel sandwiches, foot long frankfurters, 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. Pizza Bella will offer beef and sausage sandwiches as well as spaghettieis ice cream noodles.

Musical entertainment will kick off on Friday night with Die Musikmeisters from 5:00 PM until 8:30 PM followed by The Polkaholics from 8:45 PM until Midnight. Saturday’s entertainment includes Die Kellerknaben Trio performing from 3:30 PM until 6:00 PM followed by Phenix at 7:00 PM until Midnight. The musical line up on Sunday features Die Musikmeisters on stage Noon until 3:00 PM followed by Rhinemaidens and their alphorn demonstration at 3:00 PM and then Phenix from 3:15 PM until 6:00 PM

Games and activities for Family Day will be on Saturday from Noon until 3:30 PM with face painting, balloon art, Fire Department displays, children’s raffle prizes and birdhouse building by Home Depot. On stage will be musical performances starting at Noon with Palatine and Schaumburg as well as Hoffman Estates High Schools. The Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance will entertain with dance demonstrations. At approximately 12:30 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 Towne Square on 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 other great prizes,” said Gardner. “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.org, on Facebook or email oktoberfest@palatinerotary.org. 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 at Twin Lakes on Northwest Highway in Palatine. Email info@palatinerotary.org for details.