2013

MAIFEST CHICAGO: 5.30-6.02 ~ We did the usual on Sunday-6.02....good times.  Enjoyed the brats and beer.
 
GERMANFEST: 7.25-7.28 (Milwaukee) ~ Sadly, we missed 2012–but made it in 2013!  Went to mass on Sunday at 10:30/which gets you in free for the day--saved $30....nice.  Enjoyed the schnitzel and beer....& the very cool July weather.

OKTOBERFEST IN AUGUST: 8.16-8.18 ~ Plan to attend on Saturday 8.17 (mit friends?!) 

SPASSFEST: 8.16-8.18 (Germantown, IL) -some year....

HINCKLEY GERMANFEST:  8.24 (11am to 10pm) ~ 1st annual-New to the line-up....Fox Valley DANK was helping out as they have cancelled the Batavia O'fest for 2013-giant sigh.  Gave it a try....it did fit nicely into the O-calendar....light crowd at noon/open, good food/beer, no band until much later.

PLATZKONZERT: Hoffman Estates: 9.07 ~ have missed it the last few years--missed again...went to Itasca instead....sorry.

GERMAN-AMERICAN FEST: 9.06-9.08 ~ Attended on Sunday/9.08...met Greg D. and enjoyed the band/food/beers as usual.  Saw Jerry C.  ~Good times....

ITASCA OKTOBERFEST: 9.06-07 ~ Inaugural visit--Went on Sat/9.07 for a few hours. Very nicely decorated, good/expensive food, only Sam Adams, Jimmy's Bavarians and Johnny W. music.  Will attend more often.

BERGHOFF OKTOBERFEST: 9.11-9.13 ~ Loopers! 

ST. BERNARDINE/FOREST PARK OKTOBERFEST:  ~ Sadly, cancelled last year/2012.

GLENDALE HEIGHTS: 9.12-9.22 ~ Second year....

PALATINE OKTOBERFEST: 9:20-9.22 ~ Luv it mit friends!!  Saw Bernie, Matt, Jerry, Don....

BERWYN OKTOBERFEST: 9:13-9.14? ~ Not up to our standard. 

CHICAGO/NAVY PIER OKTOBERFEST: 9.21-10.06? ~ 2nd (pseudo) annual in 2013?

OAK PARK OKTOBERFEST: 9.20-9.22 ~ Have never been. 

PLANO OKTOBERFEST: 9.27-9.29 ~ Have loved this one in years past-should really return!

MB-ROSEMONT: 9.21-22? ~ C noted this one in 2012.

M U N I C H: 9.21-10.06 ~ A MUST in 2014!

LAKE VILLA OKTOBERFEST: 9.21, 9.28, 10.05

ST. ALPHONSUS: 9.27-9.29? ~ Never been--Kinderfest on Sunday.

NEW GLARUS OKTOBERFEST: 9.27-9.29 ~ Missed it in 2013.

LA CROSSE OKTOBERFEST: 9.27-10.05 ~ New addition in 2012....long way to travel.

ST. BEN'S OKTOBERFEST: 10.04-06 ~ Great w/ rides and Cate.

NAPERVILLE OKTOBERFEST: 10.04-05 ~ Should check it out some year.

FOX VALLEY OKTOBERFEST: 2nd w/e in Oct--Cancelled!!!! so so sad.

MT. PROSPECT VILLAGE, Fall Festival/Oktoberfest: 10:12 ~ Plan to attend.

ALEBURN: Elburn: 10.XX from 1-6pm ~ Brand new in 2011/cancelled in 2012.

ST. RAYMOND OKTOBERFEST: 10.XX? ~ Not back in 2013

2012!!!!

MAIFEST CHICAGO: 5.31-6.03 --Sadly could not attend as we prepared and left for vacation to FLA.

GERMANFEST: 7.26-7.29 (Milwaukee)  --Sigh, again we were busy. L's first MLB Cub/Cards game the same w/e and so we did not attend.

OKTOBERFEST IN AUGUST: 8.17-8.19 --Was our first of the season!  Awesome time. Great brats and cold adult beverages. 

SPASSFEST: 8.17-8.19 (Germantown, IL) ~some year -just not this one....

PLATZKONZERT: Hoffman Estates: 9.8 from 11-3pm ~loved this one a few years back--casual daytime--

GERMAN-AMERICAN FEST: 9.07-9.09 ~we were there at first pour--noon on Sunday.  Good HB and brats, pretzels okay, landjaeger was great!

BERGHOFF OKTOBERFEST: 9.12-9.14 ~attended Wed and on Thurs too.  Always good beer/food/music.







ST. BERNARDINE/FOREST PARK OKTOBERFEST:  Sadly Cancelled this year. ~We liked this casual one a lot. Giant-Sigh.


-Giant Pretzel-


GLENDALE HEIGHTS: 9.13-9.16 first year...a recycle of the 'defunct' Kane County O'fest from 3 years ago...was expensive!!!! entrance fee--what? ~may not return.  Food and beer were good though.





good times w/ good friends


PALATINE OKTOBERFEST: 9:14-9.16 ~Bernie went Fri. nite, we went Sat. all afternoon and met Dave/Lisa....great time!  Great beers, landjaegers and brats.  Kinder activities for L too.  Love this one.


BERWYN OKTOBERFEST: 9:14-9.15 ~heard it was not up to 'my' par from a friend last year....a NO go.

CHICAGO/NAVY PIER OKTOBERFEST: 9.21-10.8 ~ 2nd annual in 2013--nope

PLANO OKTOBERFEST: 9.21-9.23 ~have loved in years past--Bernie and Cliff went on Friday...

OAK PARK OKTOBERFEST:  9.21-9.23 ~Have never been, thx for the heads-up Bernie--nope did not go.

MB-ROSEMONT: 9.22-23 ~ C noted this one...did not attend

M U N I C H: 9.22-10.07  ~gotta return soon....!

LAKE VILLA OKTOBERFEST: 9.22, 9.29, 10.6

ST. ALPHONSUS: 9.28-9.30 never been--Kinderfest on Sunday--did not make it :-(

NEW GLARUS OKTOBERFEST: 9.28-9.30 ~booked the hotel again for this year-was on a waiting list and then were told it was a 2-night min...we cancelled!

LA CROSSE OKTOBERFEST: 9.28-10.06 ~new addition to the listing....long way to travel, but may go some day.

ST. BEN'S OKTOBERFEST: 10.05-07 ~went on Sat. for the rides

NAPERVILLE OKTOBERFEST: 10.05-06 ~hmm-should check it out some year

ALEBURN: Elburn: 10.XX from 1-6pm -brand new last year...??

FOX VALLEY OKTOBERFEST: 10.12-10.14 ~planned to attend on Sun-14th but cancelled due to tornado weather--Sods went.

MT. PROSPECT VILLAGE, Fall Festival/Oktoberfest: 10:13— Went on Sat. after 2pm.

ST. RAYMOND OKTOBERFEST: ~Cancelled

2011

MAIFEST CHICAGO: 6.2-6.5 ~went on Sat. 6.4 at noon...perfect weather...met Melissa and friends, met Ross, met Rugters and eco-crowd. Had the usual brat mit gp-salad and kraut unt HB beers.



GERMANFEST: 7.28-7.31 (Milwaukee) ~went up for the 3pm start on Friday 7.29 (comp tix-thx Nick!)...stayed until 8pm. Bought the new GF 'light-up' stein ... split a schnitzel sandwich, a brat and another scnitzel...bought L an edelweiss braclet and me some edelweiss plants. L got a nice home-made necklace at the Culture Center...and we saw the live-glockenspiel at 6pm.
OKTOBERFEST IN AUGUST: 8.19-8.21 ~we went on Sunday/21 and had another great experience here...met Dave/Lisa and enjoyed thueringer and brat sandwich w/ kraut, mustard, p-salad, pretzel and lanjaeger-pair and pitchers of Spaten and Franziskaner HefeWeiss. Met Jerry and family from Maifest and Dave and wife from Fox DANK.

SPASSFEST: 8.19-8.21 (Germantown, IL) ~some year!

GERMAN-AMERICAN FEST: 9.9-9.11 ~went on Sunday 9/11, met Scott K...had a great time toasting his b'day. Shared a pretzel, brat mit kraut and p-salad and a few HB's...all very good...stopped for Marie's 'za on the way home.

BERGHOFF OKTOBERFEST: 9.14-9.16 ~went on Thurs 9/15 to see the midwest longest brat!! Had a piece of the brat for $10 (vs $5) --to charity. Had a few O'fest beers w/ Scott V., Deno, Bernice and Tom...also attended the tapping of the O'fest the previous Wed. mit Scott, Craig and Dave...a superb time!

LAKE VILLA OKTOBERFEST: 9.17, 9.24, 10.1

ST. BERNARDINE/FOREST PARK OKTOBERFEST: 9.xx ?

M U N I C H: 9.17-10.3 --look on the web-cam

PALATINE OKTOBERFEST: 9:16-9.18 ~sadly we could not attend this fest...but we know it's a good one!

BERWYN OKTOBERFEST: 9:16-17 ~looks like a good one..DV had a goot time...maybe next year Dave!

PLATZKONZERT: Hoffman Estates: 9.17 from 11-3pm ~not this year...

ST. RAYMOND OKTOBERFEST: 9.17 ~OY! new date this year and of course it conflicts with others...sigh. BUT we will be there! ~had an excellent meal of chicken-schnitzel, awesome german potato salad, kraut, red cabbage and some German beers, while listening to Paloma.

FOX VALLEY OKTOBERFEST: 9.16-9.18 ... we plan to be there on Sunday 9.18...I will not be working a shift this year. ~ we were there w/ 13 others on Sunday in the Muellerfest style rain...thx to all for coming out! Had a good schnitzel on an okay bun but w/o German mustard-oy. Great HP beers and homemade on-site pretzels and lanjaeger-pairs...while listening to Die Perlen Band




CHICAGO/NAVY PIER OKTOBERFEST: 9.23-10.10 ~ First annual...we do plan to check it out some open w/e...

PLANO OKTOBERFEST: 9.23-9.25 ~ not in the cards this year again as we plan to be in Wisc!
NEW GLARUS OKTOBERFEST: 9.23-9.25 ~booked the hotel for this year ... ~we had a good and reflective time, as we 've not been since 2005 w/ both Christine and Lauren. We arrived at about 1:30 and stayed at the same hotel as '05....but across the hgall from our old room...right down from the pool. We went to the fest for a late lunch and enjoyed a brat, LARGE-pretzel (no spicey mustard-ugh!) and a few NG brews...one that tasted like a pine-tree-yuk! The rest were good... We checked into the hotel, went to dinner at Glarner Stube (as usual) ...C had the schnitzel plate and I had the schnitzel sandwhich. Back to the hotel for a pool and hot-tub dip.

NAPERVILLE OKTOBERFEST: 10.1-10.2 ~new to us...invited by Bernie

ST. BEN'S OKTOBERFEST: 10.1-10-2 ~new to our line-up...we should check it out

ALEBURN: Elburn: 10.8 from 1-6pm -brand new this year...

MT. PROSPECT VILLAGE, Fall Festival/Oktoberfest: 10:15

2010

MAIFEST CHICAGO: 6.3-6.6, see pix on FB
Another enjoyable Sunday (11:45-7pm) this year ... a bit breezy with 3 short rain showers. Enjoyed a pretzel, some landjager, a brat and thuringer w/ kraut and spicy mustard and cold g-potato salad and of course a few HB's. Saw NWU friends from the fall O'fest...

GERMANFEST: 7.22-7.25 (Milwaukee)
Another great (hot) day in Mil....12:00-5:30 on Sat., schnitzel (skip the p-salad and slaw), great brat, nuts, bought a 30yr-commemorative boot of beer...


OKTOBERFEST IN AUGUST: 8.14-8.15 ~WOW!! a great traditional O'fest!!! We WILL be back each year. We had a great afternoon on Sun. from 1:30-5:30. Brat & thuringer, p-salad/kraut, pretzel, landjager was all good! Beer was Spaten or Franziskaner Weiss...so so good...(get the pitcher)







SPASSFEST: 8.20-8.22 (Germantown, IL)
~nope, but loved going as a kid...some year

GERMAN-AMERICAN FEST: 9.10-9.12 -We arrived at @ noon on 9.12 to meet Greg (in lederhosen), Pam & Carol...enjoyed the usual brat mit kraut and a pretzel and an HB or two. Joined by Scott K. and friend and then Ross from the hood...an enjoyable day till about 6:30. Picked up Marie's 'za on the way home.

BERGHOFF OKTOBERFEST: 9.15-9.17 -C and I were there 9.15 at 4:15 to about 6ish--enjoyed the brat mit kraut, pretzel with hot and spicy cheese dip and C enjoyed the 'new' chicken sandwich. Tested Craig to come down from his 10th floor office overlooking the fest--nope.

LAKE VILLA OKTOBERFEST: 9.18, 9.25 & 10.2 -New to our line-up---hope to try it soon

ST. BERNARDINE/FOREST PARK OKTOBERFEST: 9.18-9.19 ~missed it this year :(

PALATINE OKTOBERFEST: 9:17-9.19 - Third annual, our first time--a great addition to the O-fest line-up. Enjoyed a brat mit kraut on rye with potato salad and a giant DAB or two...enjoyed the bands and were there from 4:45 till about 9ish.

M U N I C H: 9.18-10.4 --sadly, did not go this year :( --looked like fun on the web-cam.


PLATZKONZERT - Hoffman Estates: 9.25-11-3pm ~Stop by after L's soccer --nice food and brews

PLANO OKTOBERFEST: 9.24-9.26 ~did not make it this year :(...

NEW GLARUS OKTOBERFEST: 9.24-9.26 ~not this year, booked the hotel for next year.

DOWNERS GROVE OKTOBERFEST: ??? --cancelled on 2009

KANE COUNTY OKTOBERFEST: ???--2nd annual? did not hear about it?

FOX VALLEY OKTOBERFEST: 10.01-10.03 ~It's back!! ~ I bartended from 1-4 on 10.2/Sat. and then enjoyed a few after that...thanks to all who joined us!

MT. PROSPECT VILLAGE, Fall Festival/Oktoberfest: 10.16 --always a nice time...brats were good and litre beers too.

ST. RAYMOND OKTOBERFEST: 10.16 - excellent again!

2009

MAY FEST CHICAGO: 5.28-5.31 --see pix of 5.31 here
Another enjoyable Sunday (3-7pm) this year ... a bit chilly with the lake breeze. Enjoyed a pretzel, some beef sticks, a brat w/ kraut and mustard and cold g-potato salad and a few HB's. Brought home a few schnitzel sandwiches too.

GERMANFEST: 7.23-7.26 (Milwaukee, WI) --attended 7.24--my summer-Friday off work! Arrived at 3, left at 8...(1.5 hr drive) ...schnitzel sandwiches were okay...sides could have been better than cold-slaw...g-p-salad was okay...needs spice. enjoyed various beers, Sprecher, etc...good times--good to be back --see pix of here

SPASSFEST: 8.14-8.16 (Germantown, IL), nope, a bit too far--maybe some yr

OKTOBERFEST IN AUGUST: 8.22-23, I think we heard of it last year, have not been...gotta go some year--we were at the IL State Fair this w/e...

GERMAN-AMERICAN FEST: 9.11-9.13, 9.11, I attended from 4:30-7:15 (9:40) with Al, Deno and Bernice. C, L and I attended on 9.13 from 11:45 to 6:30 ... both great times with HB on tap --see pix here

PLATZKONZERT - Hoffman Estates: 9.12, nope, never been, wonder if it's a good one.

BERGHOFF OKTOBERFEST: 9.16-9.18, 11am-9pm, 9.18--enjoyed a pretzel and a dark Bergie

ST. BERNARDINE/FOREST PARK OKTOBERFEST: 9.18-9.19, arrived at 12:15 (noon start) on Sat. 9.19...stayed for about 3 hours...enjoyed the large brats, sauerkraut, German potato salad and unsalted pretzel along with the Warsteiner beers. Tip--arrive later to hear the German Bands.

PALATINE OKTOBERFEST: 9:18-9.20, 1st time hearing about this one... nope--next year?

M U N I C H: 9.19-10.4 --sadly, not this year :(

PLANO OKTOBERFEST: 9.25-9.27 --Cliff, are you ready for this?! --Kane Co. instead!

NEW GLARUS OKTOBERFEST: 9.25-9.27 (same as Plano) nope :(

DOWNERS GROVE OKTOBERFEST: 9.25-9.27 ~ Cancelled in the 11th hour... :(

KANE COUNTY OKTOBERFEST: 9.25-9.27 --1st annual, hmm-- a Great time! ~see pix

MT. PROSPECT VILLAGE, Fall Festival/Oktoberfest: 10.17 --nope, went to Matt Mueller wedding

ST. RAYMOND OKTOBERFEST: 10.17 --nope, went to Matt Mueller wedding

2008

MAY FEST CHIGAGO: June 1, 2008-pix
A very enjoyable Sunday from 4 to 7...brats, and a few steins...Lauren won Fred the Fish.

GERMANFEST: 7.24-7.27 (Milwaukee, WI)
Not able to make the trip north this year...was under the weather that w/e~ugh!

SPASSFEST: 8.15-8.17 (Germantown, IL)
Nope...maybe next year


GERMAN-AMERICAN FEST: 9.5-9.7
Nope...

BERGHOFF OKTOBERFEST: 9.17-9.19, 11am-9pm
went wed & thurs, enjoyed a brat w/ kraut, a pretzel w/ mustard, a few lights and darks and good times with friends...



SIDEBAR GRILLE: 9.19 (in my building)
nope, was at the Cub/Card game instead

M U N I C H: 9.20 - 10.05 (last time we were there)
not this year

PLATZKONZERT - Hoffman Estates: 9.20
nope

PLANO OKTOBERFEST: 9.26-9.28
rockin! text to Cliff at 3:45... 'in plano 4 a beer' and we were off. I arrived at 4:15 in time to be served the 1st cash-paid beer (as new friends Dave/Willie were already a few up for the day as they prepped for sales). John stopped by for one and a pretzel at 4:45. I enjoyed an HP Oktoberfest and a schnitzel plate, w/ marble rye bread, spaetzle and red cabbage...very good! As John left to pick up his son at practice, I said I would stay for another to wait-out traffic on I-88...so John surprised me and came back for another. John gave me a commemorative St. Louis Cardinal Bud bottle from the 2006 WS...thanks John! Plano is a great 'fest!
SSHHH~Inside scope says the So. Elgin fest may be back in 2009...stay tuned. As the newsletter states... 'we have big plans for next year, but more on that later!' & 'We have some major plans for 2009 and your help will be greatly appreciated.'

NEW GLARUS OKTOBERFEST, 9.26-9.28
nope, conflict w/ Plano and SGK walk w/e

OKTOBERFEST OF NAPERVILLE: Sadly Cancelled this year :(
had never been, but heard it was a good time

FOREST PARK OKTOBERFEST: 10.03-10.04
L says 'cheers dad' and we say Excellent O'fest! ~in a new location this year, and a bit better all around...great location on the wooded lot, new activities/rides/games for Lauren, better beer (St. Paulie), but same food, brats, kraut and german potato salad--which they ran out of...ugh.

MARMION ACADEMY: 10.04
nope, but did Cliff go?

DOWNERS GROVE OKTOBERFEST: 10.03-10.05
nope, conflict with Forest Park

MUELLERFEST: typically mid-Oct.
not this year~possibly coming in 2009 after a decade of none...stay-tuned

ST. RAYMOND PARISH: 10.18
great food, good music-Paloma, & good company ... I served beer/wine/pop from 8-10-close...then right home by 1:30am :)

from the parish website: "Delicious meals prepared by our very own German cooks. Menu: Chicken Schnitzel, German Potato Salad, Rot Kraut, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, pretzels and hot dogs for the kids. Our Desserts will be: apple slices, german chocolate cake and cookies. Cover Charge $5 per person or $10 per family. Crafts are also available for children for $5."

MT. PROSPECT VILLAGE: 10.25
nope

2007

Links to the O'fests in Chi-land for 2007

GERMANFEST: 7.27-7.29 (Mil)
no attendance

GERMAN-AMERICAN FEST: 9.7 - 9.9
no attendance--no one who was asked wanted to go...

BERGHOFF OKTOBERFEST: 9.12 - 9.14 (not a w/e)
went 9.12 & 14 after work--Scott, Deno & friends, and Al...brat was great, o'fest beer and pretzel...music was loud R&R--German only for the lunch crowd

FOX VALLEY OKTOBERFEST: 9.21 - 9.23, sadly cancelled

ST. BERNADINE-Forest Park Oktoberfest: 9.21 - 9.22
C/L/I went on 9.22, L too cute in her dirndl, no G-beer, but white brat and thuringer were ok...(on a hot-dog bun-ugh) and pretzel was hard. ML and Leinie's O'fest beers. Good music, Alpiners and another we know ... L loved the jumpy thing...and we could drink near by.

M U N I C H: 9.22 - 10.07 (last time we were there)
not this year

DOWNERS GROVE OKTOBERFEST: 9.28 - 9.30
not this year --conflict w/ Plano

PLANO OKTOBERFEST: 9.28 - 9.30
1st time attendance and it's a Winner!
Great beers, HP, St. Pauli and DAB vom fass
Good food... schnitzel was just ok, C thought spatzel was weak, but I loved the red cabbage, did not try the brat or pig--but brought the pig home--very tender.
Great music by Johnny Waggner Band (seen them a billions times)
bummer--no rides/games for L, but she colored at the table while we ate, drank and visited w/ Cliff and Finn

OKTOBERFEST OF NAPERVILLE: 10.5 - 10.7
nope--never been

ST. MARTHA CHURCH:
nope--never been, but sounds nice--maybe next year

MUELLERFEST:
not this year

HERMANN, MO: 10.20-22 (every w/e in Oct.)

<<Link to ALL PIX here...>>