Community Corner
Double Brew: Oktoberfest Hits Lake View Twice this Weekend
Big beer and brat celebrations are headed to both East Lake View and Southport Avenue this weekend. The Patch Challenge: Try to hit up both!
It's that time of year again: polka music is blaring, brats are grilling and beer is flowing. It's time for Octoberfest.
The German-inspired gathering is hitting Lake View not once, but twice in the same weekend, giving neighbors plenty of chances to dance, drink and eat to benefit local organizations.
The 13th Annual Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus is kicking off Friday at 5 p.m. outside the iconic church at 1429 W. Wellington Ave. Running through Sunday evening, the event is bringing live music to an expanded footprint near the intersection of Southport, Lincoln and Wellington avenues.
Lovers of specialty brews should head to the festival on Friday from 6-9 p.m. for festival’s first annual craft beer tasting in the church’s lower level German Hall. That’s combined with “Kinderfest” on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., an event for kids and families featuring a Radio Disney performance.
And if one German festival isn’t enough, East Lake View Neighbors is hosting its 15th Annual Oktoberfest on Sunday from 3-7 p.m. at Murphy’s Bleachers, located at 3655 N. Sheffield Ave.
The celebration—which has raised more than $200,000 in its 14 years—will be filled with seasonal craft beers, live music, brats and even an old-fashioned pig roast. It’s all to benefit Lake View nonprofits and charities.
“We are excited to once again bring this great tradition to the Lake View neighborhood,” said Chester Kropidlowski, president of ELVN. “This event has been a great vehicle to give back to the Lake View community, and we’re happy that local non-profits in the area will benefit.”
There’s a $5 admission on Friday and Saturday to enter the Oktoberfest at St. Alphonsus, with proceeds benefitting the Roman Catholic parish. There’s no admission charge on Sunday.
The Oktoberfest at Murphy’s Bleachers in East Lake View is $30 at the door, but includes food, drinks and raffle prizes, including a chance at $500. There’s also a silent auction at the event with prizes like a hockey stick signed by the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks, Notre Dame vs. BYU tickets and a 312 bicycle.
The official schedule of performing acts at the Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus is:
Friday
Southport Stage
5:30 p.m. The Bratwurst Brothers (German tunes)
7:00 p.m. Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press (eclectic pop/rock)
8:30 p.m. 7th Heaven (pop/rock)
Big Tent Stage (in parking lot)
5:30 p.m. Eddie Karosa Jr. & the Boys from Illinois (polka/big band)
7:00 p.m. The Bratwurst Brothers
8:30 p.m. Dot Dot Dot (pop/rock)
Saturday
Southport Stage
11:00 a.m. Euro Express (German tunes)
1:15 p.m. Die Musikmeisters (German Oompah tunes)
3:30 p.m. The Polkaholics (Polka rock)
5:30 p.m. Stache (pop/rock)
8:00 p.m. 16 Candles (pop/rock)
Big Tent Stage
4:30 p.m. Horseradish (German tunes)
6:15 p.m. The Polkaholics
8:00 p.m. Trippin Billies (Dave Matthews tribute)
Sunday
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Kinderfest (games & activities for kids, families)
Radio Disney performance at Noon
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