Tyler Lamb
Editor
Grab your stein, throw on your lederhosen and mark your calendars for Elkhorn’s Oktoberfest. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 19 under the colorful canopy of fall foliage in the downtown square area.
The annual fall festival, now in its eighth year, continues to thrive as thousands are attracted to the sights, delectable smells and tastes of the harvest season.
This year’s event will continue to offer its traditional staples – beer and wine tasting, classic car show, a chili cook-off, live music, crafters, kids’ costume parade, in addition to the newly added Peoples Bank Oktoberfest 5K run/2 mile walk.
“This year we will have the first annual 5K run/2 mile walk that Peoples Bank is sponsoring,” said Chris Clapper, executive director of the Chamber. “It starts at 9 a.m. in the county fairgrounds, and there are three benefactors of the run/walk. They are the Kettle Moraine Land Trust, Lakeland Animal Shelter and the Elkhorn Fund.
“We have more than 100 people already signed up, and we hope they are enticed to stick around and enjoy the day with us,” she continued.
Registration is $35, and includes a long sleeve t-shirt, a sports pack and a free drink ticket to the Oktoberfest celebration.
Children also will be able to enjoy a variety of activities ranging from pumpkin decorating to a kids’ costume parade at 3 p.m.
“We try and make it a family friendly event,” Clapper said. “We will have the costume parade on the Community Stage. Every child that participate will get a goodie bag that comes with coupons to places like Cousins Subs and Culvers.
“Last year we had about 30 kids participate, and we hope to increase that number this year,” she continued. “There is no registration required, just show up by the stage at 3 p.m.”
Clapper said she hopes to have about a dozen local National Honor Society students assist with children’s activities.
As with previous years, the 10 block of North Wisconsin Street will be closed off to make room for main stage headliners and the scores of vendors along the square. Local vendors, as well as a number from Illinois and northern Wisconsin have secured spots at the event, according to Clapper.
“There really is something for everyone to enjoy,” Clapper noted. “Come out and enjoy the food, vendors, live music, or if you have a family, the variety of kids activities we’ll have on hand all day long.
“In addition, at 10:30 a.m., we will be unveiling the 2013 Christmas card,” she added.
For more information on the event call the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism at (262) 723-5788, or visit www.elkhornchamber.com.
Oktoberfest schedule
• Wine and beer tasting in the pocket park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Chili cook-off and tasting, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. First place $300.
• Classic car show in the north parking lot of the Walworth County Government Center, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Activity stage line-up
• AKF Flying Dragons, 10:30 a.m.
• Toe to Toe Ballet, 12 p.m.
• Walworth County Cloggers, 1 p.m.
• Tai Chi and Yoga, 2 p.m.
• Kids’ costume parade with Mee Too the Clown, 3 p.m.
Main stage
• SuperFly, 12 p.m. until 2 p.m.
• Kings Highway, 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.
