Palatine Planning for Oktoberfest This Month

The Rotary Club of Palatine is gearing up for its annual Oktoberfest this month. The sixth-annual Oktoberfest runs from Friday, Sept. 20 to Sunday, Sept. 22 at the corner of Smith and Slade in downtown Palatine, just south of the Metra train station.  

The public is invited to attend the free and heated tent event for authentic German music, food, beverages and activities for all. Times of the event are Friday from 4:00pm until midnight, Saturday from noon until midnight, and Sunday from noon until 6:00pm.  

Entertainment is a large component of the weekend and kicks off on Friday with a traditional keg rolling and tapping ceremony at 5:00pm, which will be done by Mayor Jim Schwantz. Jimmy’s Bavarians will entertain the crowd from 5:30pm – 7:30pm, followed by Die Musikmeisters from 8:00pm until midnight.

Family day activities will be held on Saturday from 12pm until about 3:30pm.  This year, we will feature the results of The Village of Palatine Beautification Scarecrow Contest at 12:30pm, with The Great Sobotka Magic Show immediately following.  At 1 p.m. Music on Stage will be presenting a medley of musical theatre; at 2:00pm the award-winning Quest Academy Choir, and at 3:00pm the highly entertaining Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance

“Our family day is one of the highlights of the weekend,” said Oktoberfest co-chair, Cindy Stoeckel. “Throughout the afternoon we also feature face painting, and a variety of children’s games, a soccer station, bird house building sponsored by Palatine Home Depot and The Palatine Police K-9 presentation.” said Stoeckel. 

Family Day concludes with Die Musikmeisters performing from 3:30pm until 7:30pm, followed by Phenix from 8:00pm until close at midnight.

The musical line up for the weekend concludes on Sunday with Johnny Wagner from noon to 6:00pm. Cardinal Warehouse Wine & Liquors will host a German wine tasting Sunday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. 

In addition to the full music schedule, the Rotary Club of Palatine will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win one of 24 baskets each valued at over $500.  Stoeckel said “We have a great array of raffle baskets this year.  Highlights include a Weber Genesis grill as well as various wine, liquor and merchant baskets,” Stoeckel explained that tickets are $5 each or $20 for 5 and the drawing will be on Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm. Winners do not have to be present. 

The event will also feature authentic German food from Bauer’s Brauhaus, as well as cuisine from Heybeck’s Meat Market, Morkes Chocolates, Tre Amici Pizza and Mudslingers.  Beverages include Schofferhofer and Radeberger beer as well as a special “Oktoberfest” and Kölsch beers brewed by The Wild Onion Brewing Co. in Lake Barrington, along with a variety of wine.  Pop and water, traditional Landjaeger sausages and popcorn will also be available for purchase

View a complete schedule of events and learn more about The Rotary Club of Palatine at www.palatinerotary.com/oktoberfest or e-mail oktoberfest@palatinerotary.com.  Sponsors for the event include the Wild Onion Brewing Company, Palatine Bank & Trust, The Bob Rohrman Auto Group, Skokie Valley Beverage, Harper College, Palatine Park District, Smith-Corcoran Funeral Homes, BIK & Co. LLP, BMO Harris Bank, Weber Grill, Northwest Community Healthcare and the Village of Palatine. All proceeds of the Oktoberfest will be re-invested in local area non-profit organizations serving the Palatine and northwest suburban communities.