Volunteers needed for Downers Grove Oktoberfest

Volunteers needed for Downers Grove Oktoberfest

Volunteer or attend Oktoberfest -- proceeds support District 58!

The annual Downers Grove Oktoberfest will take place Friday, Sept. 17 from 3-11 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. The festival will close for one hour and reopen on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 7-11 p.m. for the ticketed music headliner. Oktoberfest will take place in downtown Downers Grove at the Main Street Train Station. It is hosted by the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58, and all proceeds will benefit District 58.

To be a success, Oktoberfest NEEDS volunteers. Volunteer shifts range in length, but most are 3.5 hours. Volunteers earn free festival admission during their shift. There are currently almost 200 open volunteer slots for a variety of stations, including food service, beverage sales, registration/tickets, kids zone, backstage crew, VIP entrance and more. Sign up to volunteer at bit.ly/58KTVOL. 

Oktoberfest will feature national headliner Sebastian Bach on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 9:30 p.m. Sebastian Bach is the original voice of Skid Row and has sold in excess of 20 million records worldwide as lead singer of his former band, Skid Row, and as a solo artist. In addition to Sebastian Bach’s performance, Oktoberfest will feature several renowned local bands and an authentic German polka band. View a complete entertainment schedule and more information at www.58foundation.net/oktoberfest. Beyond the live music, Oktoberfest will offer traditional German fare and beverages, as well as a Kids Zone, face-painting, dunk tank and more.

Festival-goers may purchase tickets in advance at www.58foundation.net/oktoberfest or at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

On Friday (all day) and Saturday before 6 p.m., Oktoberfest is free for children (ages 0-17), volunteers, and active military and veterans with military ID. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens (55+). The entry fee will increase to $25 on Saturday after 7 p.m. for all ages.

Want to get closer to the action? Buy VIP tickets for the Sebastian Bach show! VIP tickets cost $75 and include a VIP entrance, a special VIP area in front of the stage and Sebastian Bach swag. 

Finally, any community member may purchase a $10 raffle ticket for a chance to win $500 or a guitar signed by Sebastian Bach. Raffle tickets can also be purchased at www.58foundation.net/oktoberfest or at the festival. 

Please direct Oktoberfest questions to Janet Alikpala, Education Foundation president, at 312-217-4369 or janet@alikpala.com.