Rotary Club's Oktoberfest Winds Down with Wine Tasting

The Die Lustigan Musikanten band sang German-festive lyrics, "happy happy polka," as Palatine residents enjoyed the finale of Rotary Club of Palatine's annual Oktoberfest fundraiser event Sept. 19.

Rotary Club's president Matt Bickel said the third annual fest "brought in a good turnout for a Sunday afternoon."

Fun activities such as Dobby's German Wine Tasting piqued people's interests to experience authentic German wines. The wine tasting was held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Germany tends to be known for its long list of beers, but there's a lot of quality wine that comes from the area as well, Bickel said.

Dobby's Worldwide Liquor, located in downtown Palatine, donated a great deal of German wine, both for sale and for the tasting, Bickel said.

"The wine tasting is a good way to get people to come out to the event," Bikel said. People do love their wine, and even more engaging when they can associate flavors with specific cultural regions.

Rotary Club members, happily milling about the event clad in bright yellow Oktoberfest t-shirts, were excited to talk about the projects they were involved in, from work they do with American Legion to offshoot youth programs such as the Rotaract Club. With warm smiles on their faces, their volunteer-spirited enthusiasm was well received.

Bickel said Oktoberfest is Rotary Club's biggest fundraising event, and the idea of the German theme came about because Rotary Club wanted to get people of all ages involved.

"Oktoberfest is a way to get families coming," Bickel said. "People can bring their kids and have a good time."

Oktoberfest proceeds benefit organizations such as the Palatine Opportunity Center, Society for the Preservation of Human Dignity, Northwest Community Hospital's neonatal services, Little Sisters for the Poor, Boy Scouts of America and many other local charitable organizations. Visit www.PalatineRotary.com for more information.