St. Mary returned to its German roots for the sixth time on the weekend of September 14-15 during the parish’s annual Oktoberfest celebration.
On Saturday, the parish hall and outdoor tent were filled with authentic German food and music and fantastic raffle prizes.
On the menu was wiener schnitzel, potato pancakes, bratwurst, spaetzle (German dumplings), cucumber salad, green beans, and beef stroganoff.
Delicious apple strudel tempted attendees to skip dinner and go straight for dessert, while German pretzels made for a great late-night snack.
To wash it all down, volunteers served German and German-themed beer on tap, including Warsteiner Oktoberfest and Sam Adams Oktoberfest.
The outdoor entertainment was just as German as the food. Phenix and The Bratwurst Brothers, both Oktoberfest bands, played traditional music throughout the night.
In between bands, Danse Integro provided a free Polka dance lesson to anyone wanting to learn. Participants formed a giant circle and learned the basics of this traditional European dance all together and with partners.
Meanwhile, inside, a different kind of “dance” was underway as people circulated the raffle tables deciding which fabulous prizes to toss their tickets in for. Among the prizes were free Nancy’s pizza for a year, a Fleckenstein’s gift card, tickets to Bengston’s Pumpkin Fest, a cutlery set, and much more.
Staying true to tradition, Father Dindo auctioned off his latest painting during the night. This year, he created a cubist-style painting of a mother and child. The lucky winner was parishioner and choir member Mike McCague.
On Sunday, St. Mary welcomed entire families for Kinderfest. Geared toward children, Kinderfest offered crafts, face painting, a magic show, and a rootbeer garden!
Oktoberfest weekend was made possible by an army of volunteers who served in the many stations running throughout the night–from food serving, to beer pouring, to ticket sales and more.
Overall, everyone who attended had an exciting, and delicious, time. Prost!
The Mokena Marian 