Community Corner
Images From Palatine's Oktoberfest
Friends and families gather in downtown Palatine to raise money and get a little bit of Bavarian culture.
Everyone was enjoying the beautiful weather during the second day of Oktoberfest, even the most regal member of the court: The King.
Ken Chalmers, the 2011 King of Oktoberfest, said he was happy to be chosen as this year's king.
"For some reason or another, the committee that started this whole thing four years ago up until this week, thought that I did a pretty good job in organizing, and overall participation and stepping up," Chalmers said.
A new king is crowned every year.
The Oktoberfest activities are a way for the Palatine Rotary Club to raise money and give back to the community. Last year, the festival raised $41,375 which was donated to many local organizations such as Chicago Lighthouse, Clearbrook and Palatine Township Food Pantry, along with international projects such as the Clean Water Project and the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus.
One organization that was eager to participate in the festival was Rue 62, a salon in Hoffman Estates. Avis Meade, a full time hair stylist, said the salon opened in April 2011 and decided to take part in the festivities.
"We want to get to know the community and get to know the people that are in it," Meade said, "Everyone just comes to Oktoberfest, it's the best."
