Above / Polka with family and friends when Oktoberfest returns to Naper Settlement, Oct. 7-9, 2017.
Enjoy two nights of traditional German oompah music and classic rock along with delicious German-style beer and cuisine under a large heated tent at Naper Settlement’s Oktoberfest from 5 to 10PM on Friday, Oct. 7; from noon to 10PM and Saturday, Oct. 8, at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Family-friendly activities will take place on Sunday from noon to 4PM on Sunday, Oct. 9.
Tickets are $15 adults, $10 children 4-12; at the gate tickets are $15 adults and $10 children 4-12, members and children 3 and under are free. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the event. Advance ticket sales will end at noon on Thursday, Oct. 5. Tickets are available at www.napersettlement.org/oktoberfest.
“Oktoberfest celebrates Naperville’s German heritage, with cultural expressions that include German folk music and delicious culinary classics,” said Naper Settlement’s Special Events & Large Scale Rentals Coordinator, Adison Glick. “We’re excited to offer our visitors an extra day this year, and watch the adults compete in our stein holding competition on Saturday!”
Polka punk Friday / Rock out Saturday
Kicking off Polka Party Friday will be Alpine Thunder, a lively German folk/pop band, followed by local German polka-punk favorite, the Polkaholics. Performing for over 20 years together, this Chicago-based band got their start after guitarist, Don Hedeker, decided to fuse his two main influences: the polka standards and the ’70s punk explosion.
As the only polka band in the world with a guitar-based set-up, Hedeker says visitors can expect polka music with a Ramone’s twist. “Polka and punk is really about breaking down barriers, so visitors can expect to have a good time,” said Hedeker. “We were coming to Naper Settlement’s Oktoberfest for several years in a row, so we’re very happy to be coming back.”
Visitors will rock out on Saturday beginning with the lively German folk band, Die Musikmeisters Band, followed by the rock and polka hybrid group Freeze Dried. The night will finish off with a Chicago favorite, Stache. Known for their unique twist on everything from today’s pop hits to 80s rock anthems, Stache will blow the audience away with their high-energy, authentic musical performance.
“We are always trying to surprise our audience,” said Ryan Shoonover, lead vocalist of Stache. “We play anything from 20-30 outdoor festivals every year and Oktoberfest’s are one of our favorites. We just try to play music that people will really enjoy and have a good time with.”
Traditional Bavarian Sunday
Traditional Bavarian Sunday will begin with three-time Grammy nominees, Jimmy’s Bavarians. The band has performed at countless Oktoberfest celebrations through the years in the U.S. and overseas, and never misses the opportunity to perform with their 12-foot-long alphorn. The weekend will end with an Oktoberfest favorite, The Happy Wanderers.
The Woody’s Buick GMC children’s area features activities from noon to 3PM on Saturday and include Pinot’s Palette, where kids can create their own masterpiece, and PRO Martial Arts who will show kids how to break a board. Naper Settlement’s museum educators will also have old-fashioned amusements for children and lawn games for everyone to play. While your kids play, don’t miss the stein holding competition for the adults.
Oh! The tastes of Germany!
The food and beer is the signature of any Oktoberfest, and Schamberger Bros. is providing quite the variety of beer. Hofbrau Oktoberfest and Spaten Oktoberfest are the traditional German beers on tap. The American craft beer scene is represented with Bell’s Octoberfest; and the beer lineup finishes with the sweet and unique German Schofferhofer Grapefruit. There will also be a wine selection boasting a delicious Riesling, and other varietals from Rodney Strong Vineyards. Food will consist of traditional German fare including bratwurst, sauerkraut and more by MyChef Catering, handmade pretzels by DeEtta’s Bakery and bundtlets by Nothing Bundt Cake.
“This year’s event falls early in October and will be the perfect way to end the outdoor party season,” said John Schamberger, owner of Schamberger Bros., Inc. “Our beer offerings will each bring a different flavor and finish, and will satisfy all of our visitors attending the weekend-long event. Don’t miss two of the best German brews made for Munich’s Oktoberfest, the Hofbrau Oktoberfest and Spaten Oktoberfest!”
Naperville Settlement expresses gratitude to all the Oktoberfest community and business sponsors.
And while we’ve got your attention… Save Oct. 20 or Oct. 21 for All Hallows Eve, offering spooky, new scares for 2017 at annual Halloween event
Get ready for a terrifyingly good time at Naper Settlement’s All Hallow Eve, as it transforms the museum’s 12-acre campus and 13 historic buildings into the ultimate haunted village. This year’s event will showcase a variety of bone-chilling performances and new additions, including a Dark Arts Gallery and an all-new haunted house based off Lindsay Currie’s book “The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street.” All Hallows Eve will take place from 6:30 to 10PM Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21 at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Tickets are $20 per person and are available online at www.napersettlement.org or at the door.
About Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society
Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor museum set on 12 magnificent acres in the heart of Naperville, where history comes to play and community comes to connect. The Naperville Heritage Society is the administrator of Naper Settlement. With a commitment to the community and a focus to the future, the mission of the Naperville Heritage Society is to collect, document, preserve and support the history of Naperville, Illinois, past and present. For more information, visit napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.
News and photos submitted by Emma Vodick for Naper Settlement.
