Downtown Highland Park Inaugural Oktoberfest Event

HIGHLAND PARK, IL (September 21, 2019) -The Downtown Highland Park Business Alliance, in conjunction with its local businesses and entertainers, will host its inaugural Oktoberfest event in Downtown Highland Park on Saturday, September 21 from Noon to 10 p.m. along Second Street, from Central Avenue to Beelow’s. The FREE event will celebrate the kick off of Oktoberfest for attendees to enjoy family friendly activities, live interactive entertainment, food and beverages in a relaxed and safe atmosphere.

Some of Highland Park’s most celebrated food vendors including Once Upon a Bagel family of restaurants, Backyard Grill, Beelow’s, Ravinia Brewing Company, Highland Pop, and New York Slices will be serving traditional Oktoberfest fare like pretzels, brats and German beer, as well as local favorites like hotdogs, hamburgers & fries, pizza, tacos and two full bars featuring Oktoberfest inspired cocktails.

“This one-of-a-kind event combines the over 200 year-old German tradition with amazing live music, entertainment and some of Highland Park’s best restaurants and pubs,” says Hal Emalfarb, chairman of Downtown Highland Park Business Alliance. “This is a new take on a very old tradition, and we encourage all ages to come out to enjoy the best of Highland Park.”

Downtown Highland Park’s Oktoberfest will showcase a full line up of entertainment from the Razny Jewelers Main Stage. The event kicks off with family friendly entertainment starting at noon with The Performers School hosting Laendler dance lessons from The Sound of Music, a Youth Talent Showcase, Irina Makkai Dance performance, live music by local kids music companies such as Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, and Polka Dance lessons from Arthur Murray Dance.

The street will be filled with plenty of food and drink vendors, as well as kids crafts and activities including face painters, henna and glitter tattoo artists and games from 12-3 p.m. At 6 p.m. live musical performance will take over the Razny Jewelers Main Stage including local favorite The Saturday June Band and Daniel Cronson Band.

Oktoberfest is designed to entertain families and celebrate the City of Highland Park’s vibrancy. The full event schedule along with Oktoberfest t-shirt and talent showcase information is available at www.DowntownHP.com.

Razny Jewelers Main Stage Line Up:

12-12:45pm: The Performers School teaches the Laendler

from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music

1-2pm: Talent Showcase, sponsored by Irina Makkai School of

Dance

2:15-2:45pm: Irina Makkai Classical Ballet and Dance School performance

3-3:30pm: Arthur Murray Dance FREE Polka Lessons

3:30-4:30pm: Midwest Young Artists Conservatory musical group

4:30-5pm: Arthur Murray Dance FREE Polka Lessons

6-8pm: Saturday June Band

8-10pm: Daniel Cronson Band

Freedom Home Care & Medical Staffing Activity Tent:

12-2pm: Butterflies & Zebra’s Face Painting

12-3pm: Henna’s by Madi

12-3: Glitter and Temporary Tattoos by Laine Too

12-3pm: Instrument Petting Zoo sponsored by Music Gallery

12-10pm: Community Art Project sponsored by Sherwin Williams,

Beelow’s and The Art Center Highland Park

4pm: Bratwurst Eating Contest sponsored by Once Upon A Bagel

family of restaurants. First 12 competitors to sign on will

compete to see who can eat the most Brats in two minutes. To reserve your spot call 847.436.3117 or email info@DowntownHP.com

5pm: German Beer Steinholding Contest sponsored by Ravinia

Brewing Company

Every public parking lot is open and FREE OF CHARGE for the entirety of the event and the Highland Park Metra North Line stop is a short two blocks away. Experience beyond the event by walking to retail shops, restaurants, and Park Avenue Beach.

For more information on Oktoberfest please visit www.DowntownHP.com or call 847.436-3117 or email info@DowntownHP.com.

Oktoberfest is made possible by the Downtown Highland Park Alliance with support from sponsors such as @properties, 22nd Century Media, Arthur Murray Dance, Audi Exchange, Freedom Home Care & Medical Staffing, Irina Makkai Classical Ballet and Dance School, Music Gallery, Razny Jewelers, Renaissance Place, Sherwin Williams, Studio G, Summer Classics, Synergy Marketing Solutions, and The Art Center.

About the Downtown Highland Park Business Alliance

The purpose of the Alliance is to maintain and improve the economic vitality of the Highland Park, Illinois Central Business District through the retention, expansion and attraction of all types of commercial enterprise that are conducive to the maintenance and improvement of the quality of life in Highland Park.

Downtown Highland Park defines the City, providing a shared sense of community for all Highland Park residents. Walkable and friendly, it is home to many boutiques, restaurants and professional services businesses.