Oktoberfest Rolling This Weekend In Tinley Park

TINLEY PARK, IL — Lace up your dirndls, throw on your lederhosen and grab a stein, because the annual Tinley Park Oktoberfest is up and running this weekend.

The three-day fest hosted by the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce kicked off Friday, September 16 at 5 p.m. and runs through Sunday, September 18 at 6 p.m. The festival is located at the 80th Avenue Metra Train Station lot in Tinley Park.

"The Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to carry on the beloved tradition of Oktoberfest," said Don Macaluso, Vice President of the Chamber and Chair of Oktoberfest.

Participants will enjoy authentic German food, a carnival, vendor fair, traditional and modern musical entertainment, ceremonial keg tapping, food and beer from local vendors.

"This is a cultural experience that goes far beyond our Bier,” said Rocco Biscaglio, board member and co-chair of the event. "Every year the tapping ceremony officially kicks off the Oktoberfest. As tradition has it, at 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of the Oktoberfest, the mayor taps the first beer barrel and opens the Oktoberfest with the Bavarian exclamation "O’zapft is!" ("It’s tapped"). Ladies and gentlemen can start training their beer muscles for the traditional Stein Hoisting contest.

Brandy Cafarelli, Board President said, "I am thrilled with our lineup of musicians."

Friday, Sept. 16

• The Schnitzels: 5 to 6:45 p.m.
• Electro Retro: 7 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17

• Wurst Kase Scenario: 1 to 3 p.m.
• Vest Dance Troupe: 3 to 3:40 p.m.
• Billy’s Boys: 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• The Bratwurst Brothers: 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 18

• Tinley Park High School Marching Band: Noon to 1 p.m.
• Paul & the Bavarians: 1 to 3:30 p.m.
• The Walk-ins – 4 to 6 p.m.

From Bier, Wein, and Steins to pretzels, ice cream, apple cider, apple strudel, Thuringer, brats, Jagerschnitzel sandwich, German goulash, and of course pizza, participants can immerse themselves in this festive atmosphere.

"I typically don’t give out fashion advice, but we are encouraging Bavarian dress styles to keep in tradition," said Don Macaluso, chair of Oktoberfest.

Admission is free. Event parking is available in the South Lot of the 80th Avenue Metra Station. No general parking is allowed in the north Metra lots or in surrounding business lots.

Attendees can access the event through the pedestrian tunnel under the station. Follow the Chamber website tinleychamber.org and their Facebook page Tinley Park Oktoberfest for updates.

No animals of any kind are allowed in the festival grounds.

The festival runs:

• Sept. 16: 5 to 11 p.m.
• Sept. 17: 1 to 11 p.m.
• Sept. 18: 1 to 6 p.m.