Community Corner
Families Flock Downtown for Oktoberfest's Opening night
Beer, bratwursts and polka music welcome crowds back to annual festival hosted by Rotary Club.
The bratwursts sizzled, the pilsner flowed and the ooms pah-pahed Friday evening as the annual Oktoberfest opened in downtown Palatine.
The German-themed food and music festival officially started at 5:30 p.m. with a traditional keg-rolling ceremony, and by 7 p.m. the large tent occupying the Fireman’s Memorial parking lot was filled with adults hoisting large plastic beer mugs and children dancing to the polka music of Die Musikmeisters.
Organized and hosted by the Rotary Club of Palatine, Oktoberfest has been the service organization’s signature annual event since 2008. “It’s our biggest fundraiser,” said Palatine Rotary Club President Jim McLin.
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Last year’s Oktoberfest raised nearly $42,000.
“We’re hoping to do better this year, and we’re off to a great start,” McLin said. Funds raised through Oktoberfest will be allocated to Palatine-area organizations and charities.
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New to this year’s Oktoberfest is a silent auction. McLin said the Rotary Club received several donated prizes, including Chicago Bears tickets, a bicycle and vintage German hunting caps, that were too valuable to be included in raffle baskets.
Guests also can buy tickets to enter raffles for 23 baskets on display, each valued at more than $1,000 and several worth twice that. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The drawing will be at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Outside the big tent people lined up for German food and brew. , and the Onion Pub are operating food tents, while is providing sweets and Mudslingers is providing coffee drinks. The Palatine Opportunity Center is running a pop and water tent.
Oktoberfest continues Saturday and Sunday. The Fireman’s Memorial parking lot is near the corner of Brockway and Slade streets. Saturday is Family Day.
The schedule for the remainder of Oktoberfest follows:
Saturday, Sept. 17
- Noon to 3 p.m. – Family Day includes various activities for children.
- 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Music by Jimmy’s Bavarians
- 8 p.m. to midnight – Music by Die Musikmeisters
Sunday, Sept. 18
- Noon to 3 p.m. – Music by Die Lustigen Musikanten
- 2 to 4 p.m.– Dobby’s German wine tasting
- 3:30 to 6 p.m. – Music by Phenix
