Rotary Club of Palatine Hosts 5th Annual Oktoberfest

The Rotary Club of Palatine will be hosting their 5th Annual Oktoberfest on Friday, September 14th through Sunday, September 16th in Fireman’s Memorial parking lot on the corners of Brockway and Slade streets in downtown Palatine.  

The Rotary is inviting the entire community to attend this free and completely tented event for authentic German music, food and activities. The event runs from Friday at 4:00 PM until midnight, Saturday from noon until midnight and Sunday from noon until 6:00 PM. The event will also feature authentic German food from Bauer’s Brauhaus, as well as cuisine from Heybeck’s Meat Market, Morkes Chocolates and Tre Amici.  Mugslingers will also be on site with coffee and smoothie creations.  Beverages include Schofferhofer and Radenberger as well as a special Oktoberfest brew from The Onion Pub and Brewery in Barrington and a variety of wine.  Pop and water, traditional landjager sausages and popcorn will be available for purchase. 

The weekend kicks off on Friday with a traditional keg rolling ceremony at 5:00 PM, complete with a tapping of the firkin by Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz.  Phenix will entertain the crowd from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM followed by Die Musikmeisters from 8:00 PM until midnight.

Saturday, families will be entertained from noon until 3:30 PM with Family Day activities including The Great Sobotka Magic Show from noon until 1:00 PM, followed by the Palatine Children’s Choir and the Quest Academy Choir from 1:00 PM until 2:45 PM.  Family Day activities conclude with a performance by Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance.  At 3:30, a children’s raffle will be drawn and the winners of the Village of Palatine Scarecrows on Parade contest will be announced. 

“Our Family Day is one of the highlights of the weekend,” said Oktoberfest co-chair, Cindy Stoeckel. “Throughout the afternoon we will feature face painting, the Police K-9 unit and a variety of kid's games.  The Metropolis Performing Arts Center will have a music making station for infants through 5 years old.  Family Day concludes with Die Musikmeisters performing from 3:30 PM until 7:30 PM followed by the return of Phenix from 8:00 PM until close at midnight."

Die Lustigen Musikanten will perform on stage Sunday noon until 3:00 PM and the musical line up for the weekend ends with the Oktoberfest debut of Johnny Wagner from 3:30 PM until 6:00 PM.   Dobby’s World Wide Liquors will also present a German wine tasting from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Sunday. 

In addition to the full music schedule, the Rotary will be selling raffles tickets for the chance to win one of 23 baskets each valued at over $500. “We have a great array of raffle baskets this year which include a Weber Genesis grill as well as various wine, liquor and merchant baskets,” said Stoeckel. "Tickets are $5 each or $20 for five and the drawing will be on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM.  Monies raised at Oktoberfest and in the raffle will support local charities." 

View a complete schedule of events and learn more about the Rotary at www.palatinerotary.com or email oktoberfest@palatinerotary.com.  Sponsors for the event include the Wild Onion Brewing Company, Palatine Bank & Trust, Mariano’s, Palatine Park District, BIK & Co, LLP, and Northwest Community Healthcare. All proceeds of the Oktoberfest will be re-invested in local area non-profit organizations serving the Palatine and northwest suburban communities.

The main objective of the Rotary is service in the community, the workplace and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, including leadership and educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Palatine Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at 7:15 AM at the Red Apple Pancake House.  Email information@palatinerotary.com for details.

The 5th Annual OKTOBERFEST Schedule

Friday, September 14

5:00 PM Keg Roll and Parade
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM  Phenix
8:00 PM - Midnight Die Musikmeisters

Saturday, September 15
Family Day

Noon - 1:00 PM  The Great Sobotka  Magic Show
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM  Palatine Children’s Choir
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM  Quest Academy Choir
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM  Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance
Noon - 3:00 PM Games/Activities provided by Palatine Park District
Noon - 3:00 PM Music making station Metropolis Performing Arts Center (Infants through 5 yrs.)
Noon - 3:00 PM Positive Strokes face painting and art & crafts
2:00 PM Palatine Police K-9 demonstration
3:30 PM Scarecrows on Parade Judging
3:30 PM Children’s raffle basket drawing

MAIN STAGE
3:30 PM - 7:30 PM  Die Musikmeisters
8:00 PM - Midnight Phenix

Sunday, September 16

MAIN STAGE
Noon - 3:00 PM Die Lustigen Musikanten
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM Johnny Wagner
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Wine Tasting by Dobby’s Liquors