11th Annual Palatine Oktoberfest September 14‑16, 2018

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View the Oktoberfest 2017 Poster

Hope you were able to join us for Oktoberfest 2017! The fun starts again next year! Mark your calendar for September 14-16 2018!

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Attendance is free! Live entertainment includes four bands doing six sets plus Family Day entertainment Saturday noon till 3:30. We have great German food, beer, and German and domestic wine. It's right across from the Palatine Metra train station, so it's easily accessible by public transportation with lots of free municipal parking nearby!

Oktoberfest is an event where neighbors, families, communitiy leaders, visitors, sponsors and donors get together to enjoy fellowship, good food, good beer, good music, and other entertainment. It is a family-friendly event, with Family Day children's activities on Saturday. We raffle baskets of goods worth at least $500 each, with many worth much more. Even if you can't visit Oktoberfest, you can still be a winner!

Oktoberfest is the principal fundraising event for the Rotary Club of Palatine. Over the last 5 years we raised funds that allowed us to support local charities and nonprofits with more than $120,000 ! To find out more about sponsorship opportunities, or to make an online donation using a credit card, bank account, or Paypal account, please click here.

Bands & Entertainment

 

Phenix German Band with a modern flair. Website.

Die Musikmeisters German Band plays a rousing blend of traditional German music for Oktoberfest or German themed events. Their extensive musical repertoire includes a variety of traditional German vocal and instrumental favorites, as well as Polish and American favorites. The band dresses in authentic German lederhosen. Website.

The Johnny Wagner Band is a household name in many German speaking communities in the country, specializing in traditional Bavarian, Austrian, and Slovenian styles of Polka Music, and equally versatile to play Rock & Roll, Country, Jazz, and Swing authentically.  Website.

Beer

Radeberger: A German Pilsner, light and crisp lager that is probably the lightest tasting beer we serve (4.8% ABV).

Dab: A German Dortmunder (5% ABV), full bodied, smooth tasting.

Schofferhofer Grapefruit: This beer is 50% unfiltered wheat beer & 50% grapefruit. Very refreshing and low alcohol content (3.1% ABV).

Wild Onion Brewing Co. Oktoberfest: Slightly darker (6.5 % ABV), smooth taste.

Wild Onion Brewing Co. Hefty Weiss: Hefe Weizen style (5.3% ABV); unfiltered wheat beer. Lots of flavors!

Wild Onion Brewing Co. Kolsch: Crisp clean german ale, (4.5 ABV)a bit more complex than a lager due to ale yeast in fermination.

Estrella Daura: Marzen Style Gluten Free Beer. Comes in a 11.16 ounce bottle (so it won't fill the 16 oz glass).

Beer is available in 16 oz glasses for 5 tickets, or in a collectible 34 oz mug for 12 tickets, with 10 ticket refills.

 

Activities

Opening Ceremonies: At 5:00 on Friday evening, Oktoberfest begins with a short parade and the tapping of a ceremonial keg on the main stage, performed by local dignitaries, and the blessings of a priest. The King and Queen of Oktoberfest 2016 will be crowned!

Saturday is Family Day! The Rotary Club Of Palatine Oktoberfest features a time set aside for families to enjoy the festive spirit of this classic German cultural fest. Family Day is always held on Oktoberfest Saturdays beginning at 12:00 noon and lasting until about 3:30 p.m. In addition to all the enjoyable food and beverage tents open to families, special programming and activities for children will be provided.

Musical performances featuring students from local school groups and Palatine-based youth organizations highlight afternoon’s events on the main stage.

Family Day will kick off with an Oktoberfest Family Bike Ride sponsored by the Bike Palatine Club on Saturday morning at the corner of Smith & Slade Streets. Registration is free for this casual ride. That will depart at 11:30 a.m. Riders are expected to return around 12:30 p.m. Bike racks will be provided. Visit www.bikepalatine.com for more information about the Family Bike Ride.

In addition to great Oktoberfest food and beverages, families and children can enjoy a number of children’s activities and interests at the Palatine Towne Square park, including face painting, balloon-art, a variety of children’s games.

1.    11:15 - 11:30AM    Free Registration for the Oktoberfest Family Bike Ride hosted by the Bike Palatine Club
2.    11:30 - 12:30PM    Oktoberfest Family Bike Ride starts at the corner of Smith & Slade Streets
3.    Noon - 3:30PM       Positive Strokes offers children’s face painting
4.    Noon - 3:30            Birdhouse Construction with Birdhouses and Supplies by the Home Depot in Palatine
5.    Noon - 4:00            Performances By Local Organizations:
Palatine HS Orchestra 12:00-12:45
Announce Scarecrow Winner & Poster Winner 12:50-1:00
Sundling Sound 1:05-1:35
Vest Dance Troupe German Dance Group 1:45-2:05
Bonnie Lindholm Dance 2:10-2:50
JP Woods Martial Arts 3:00-3:40
 
Palatine Police Department Introduction to the K-9 dog unit
Palatine Fire Department Display of Fire Response and Rescue Vehicle

Food

Heybeck's Meat Market - Expanded German Menu!

White Bratwurst ~ German Plate ~ Leberkase Sandwich ~ Full Pig platter ~ Pig Taster Platter ~ BBQ Beef or Pork sandwich ~ Hamburger/Cheeseburger ~ BBQ Half Slab Ribs ~ Italian or New Mexico Sausage ~ Blue Cheese/ Bacon Burgers ~ Cheddar and Onion Burgers ~ Smoked Cheddarwurst

Tre Amici Pizza

Cheese Pizza Slice ~ Sausage Pizza Slice ~ Specialty Pizza Slice

Tap House Grill

Pretzels with Beer Cheese & Spicy Mustard ~ Seasoned Chips smothered with Beer Cheese ~ Deep fried schnitzel "pork bites" with a spicy mustard dipping sauce ~ Sauerbraten Pot Roast sliders, with a side of sour kraut & pickles

Morkes Chocolates

Spiced donuts ~ Carmel Apples ~ Chocolate Bars

Partners for Our Communities (POC)

Pop ~ Water ~ Popcorn

Location and Directions

We're just across the tracks from the Palatine Train Station, Northwest Line
150 W. Slade St, Palatine, IL