Raise a stein at Elkhorn Oktoberfest
By Heather Ruenz
SLN staff
For those looking to celebrate the German tradition at an event that’s suitable for the entire family, consider making a stop at Elkhorn Oktoberfest. The event, held in Veterans Park in Elkhorn, is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21.
Now in its 12th year, it’s grown into the largest event the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce oversees.
“It’s crazy how big of an event it’s grown into,” Chris Clapper, executive director of the chamber, said.
The numbers support Clapper’s claim, from very few event sponsors, and wine and beer participants (according glasses sold) the first year it was held, in 2005, to about 30 sponsors and 900 or so wine and beer participants in 2016, respectively. Additionally, vendor booths have jumped from 52 in 2005 to 153 last year while the number of chili tasting participants grew from 104 to 281.
“I really like the excitement leading up to it and how busy it is that day,” Jenna Gough, executive assistant at the chamber, said.
Below is a breakdown of the activities going on during Elkhorn Oktoberfest.
Car show
A classic car show, co-sponsored by Lakes Area Cruisers, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the north parking lot of the Walworth County Government Center. There is no pre-registration and the first 75 entries will receive dash plaques and goodie bags.
While there is no fee to enter the car show, the suggested donation is $5 or five non-perishable food items – all of which will go to the Elkhorn Food Pantry.
“There is also a Peoples Choice award that anyone can vote on and the winner will get a trophy,” Clapper said.
Chili cook-off
Clapper and Gough encourage community members to “bring the heat” for the annual chili cook-off and sampling event.
It will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and cash prizes will be given to the top three chili recipes as voted on by the tasters.
There is no entry fee to compete in the chili cook-off and it’s open to individuals and businesses. The cost to sample chili is $5, which offers tastings from any or all of the competitors present.
The deadline to register to be in the chili cook-off is Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Run/walk
The Elkhorn Oktoberfest 5K run/2-mile walk has been held for several years and in the past has taken place entirely at the Walworth County Fairgrounds.
“This year it will start at the fairgrounds but end at the Oktoberfest event,” Gough said.
Registration for adults is $35; for students in grades K-12, $20.
Participants will receive a long-sleeved t-shirt and goodie bag. Adults 21 and older will also receive a free glass and two wine or beer tasting tickets.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., the run/walk at 9:30 a.m. To register, visit oktoberfest.5k.run.
Shuttle service
Shuttle services from the main parking lot off of Highway 11 across from the Walworth County Fairgrounds to Oktoberfest grounds will be offered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There is no charge for parking at the fairgrounds and parking downtown will be limited, with Wisconsin Street between Moy’s and Friends on the Square being shut down for Oktoberfest.
Raise a stein
The official tapping of the keg is set for 11 a.m., followed by wine and beer tasting and stein-holding contests throughout the remainder of the fest.
Admission to the wine and beer tasting tent is $12 a person and includes a commemorative Oktoberfest glass and six tastings of beer or wine.
“People can combine their tastings to get more of one type of beer or wine if they don’t want to try several,” Clapper said.
Among the variety of beer that will be on-hand are options from Lakefront, Capitol, New Glarus and Milwaukee breweries. A wide variety of wine will also be available.
Wine and beer tickets can be purchased in advance through the chamber.
Guests are also invited to cheer on participants as they hold a weighted-down stein with their arm outstretched, or better yet, join the fun.
“Anyone can participate in the stein-holding contest and there’s no cost to do so,” Clapper said.
Contests will be held throughout the day between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and anyone interested in competing can sign-up on-site that day.
“We’ll also hold a championship round or two of the winners from throughout the day and that adds to the fun,” Gough said.
Entertainment
Several local groups will perform on the community stage at Oktoberfest including: Dreams Studio of Performing Arts; the Elkhorn Flying Dragons; the Walworth County Cloggers, and; Toe To Toe Ballet.
Clapper said it’s great to showcase local groups at a community event.
“A lot of these groups perform on closed stages so people don’t always know about them. This exposes them to the community,” she said.
Gough said it might also encourage audience members to become involved.
“Kids that see them might decide they want to try dancing or clogging or martial arts. The Elkhorn Flying Dragons, in addition to local members, also features an appearance by higher ranked marital artists,” she said.
Once the community groups wrap up their performances, live music will be provided by Doghouse Roses, expected to take the stage between 2 and 3 p.m. and perform for the remainder of the day.
Food/vendors
While there will be a variety of authentic German food available at Elkhorn Oktoberfest, Clapper said there are numerous options with a goal of offering something for everyone.
“From apple cider donuts to Jamaican food to tacos and authentic German, there are a lot of choices,” she said.
Vendors, selling everything from crafts and artwork to commercial items, will be on-site throughout the day. Some of them travel quite a distance to be part of Oktoberfest, she said.
“There are some from this area but also from throughout the Midwest. We advertise on Travel Wisconsin so between that and word-of-mouth, we have a wide variety of vendors, some who make a weekend of it,” Clapper said.
Other things to note
A variety of activities will also be offered for the young Oktoberfest goers out there as well. In addition to a bounce house (for a small fee), kids have the opportunity to decorate pumpkins and have their faces painted.
“This is a family-friendly event so we try to offer activities for the kids that are fun and relate to fall,” Clapper said.
The other major event held in conjunction with Oktoberfest is the unveiling of this year’s Christmas card. Elkhorn is known as Christmas Card Town and each year a new card is designed.
For those wanting a commemorative piece from Oktoberfest, there will be long-sleeved t-shirts, buttons and steins available for purchase.
Last but not least, the chamber relies on numerous volunteers in a variety of capacities throughout the day at Oktoberfest including: beer and wine tent; beer and wine ticket table; chili tent; pumpkin decorating and game area; set up and take down; 5K run/2-mile walk set up and help during the race.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the event is asked to contact the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce, 203 E. Walworth St., by stopping in, calling (262) 723-5788 or via email to info@elkhornchamber.com.
