The Clarendon Hills Oktoberfest and a new Vintage Market are scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 12 at two locations in the village’s downtown: Burlington Plaza on North Prospect Avenue and the Sloan Triangle on South Prospect Avenue.
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The Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Oktoberfest was started in Clarendon Hills in 2022. Frank Spreitzer and Dillon Walentin, co-owners of The Open Door Tap Room and Bottle Shop, came up with the idea to start it in the village.
“The event has become a tradition, bringing residents and visitors downtown for an evening of live music, food, beer, games and community fun, said Shannon McDonald, the chamber’s executive director.
The free event is open to everyone and will include live music from 6 to 9 p.m. by Mr. Blotto on South Prospect and from 7 to 9 p.m. by Die Kellerknaben at Tierra Distilling, 211 Burlington Ave.
Mr. Blotto has been around since 1991 and has developed a reputation as a jam band, using hard rock, southern rock, folk music and country rock styles in its repertoire. The band plays both originals and cover songs.
Die Kellerknaben is a polka band from nearby Westmont that has performed around the Midwest.
Scheduled Oktoberfest activities include crafting for kids, a photo booth and costume contest, and skills games booths, sponsored by the Clarendon Hills Public Library and Just Lift Fitness.
The Clarendon Hills Firefighters Association is sponsoring the fourth annual bags tournament at 5 p.m. Registration is at www.clarendonhillschamber.com/oktoberfest.
Food and beverages will be sold by local businesses Domino’s Pizza, The Open Door Taproom and Bottle Shop, IL Mio Italian Restaurant, Tierra Distilling, and Leffelmans Meat Centre of Downers Grove. There also will be a Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce-sponsored beer trailer.
This is the first year for which the chamber is hosting a Vintage Market at Burlington Plaza as part of Oktoberfest. It will feature local vendors offering vintage, antique, and unique items.
“The addition of the market reflects the chamber’s goal of making Oktoberfest an opportunity not only to enjoy Clarendon Hills’ restaurants and bars, but also to discover the community’s retail businesses and encourage shopping in the downtown,” McDonald said.
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She said that while Oktoberfest is adult-focused, it remains family-friendly, with activities and entertainment designed to welcome everyone.
The event (creates) an opportunity for attendees to explore our downtown, while enjoying the festivities,” McDonald said. “The event is an opportunity to showcase the community’s downtown and the businesses that make it unique.”
McDonald said the chamber anticipates the combination of live music, craft beer, traditional Oktoberfest entertainment, shopping and activities will attract both regular attendees and new visitors from throughout the neighboring communities.
“This year, we really wanted to expand the event beyond food and beverage and give people another reason to come downtown,” she said. “The Vintage Market is a great addition because it encourages people to shop, explore and discover some of the unique retail offerings in Clarendon Hills, while still enjoying all the things people have come to love about Oktoberfest.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.