Elm Grove Community Foundation Expands Oktoberfest to two days to support community projects


Oktoberfest celebrates our community, and we love its traditions and the togetherness it brings

The sights, sounds and tastes of Germany are making their way to Elm Grove Village Park. The 5th Annual Elm Grove Community Foundation Oktoberfest, presented by Annex Wealth Management/Annex Charitable Foundation, kicks off in Elm Grove Park on Friday, September 17 at 5 pm with a ceremonial keg tapping, German and local beers, live music, and a Fish Fry. The fun continues Saturday, September 18 at 3:30 pm with a 0.5K Fun Run, followed by the traditional Oktoberfest celebration, with authentic live German music, festive food from food trucks, activities, and lots of local and German beer options. “We’re honored to once again support one of our favorite Elm Grove traditions,” said Dave Spano, President and CEO, Annex Wealth Management. “Oktoberfest celebrates our community, and we love its traditions and the togetherness it brings,“ With an expected crowd of over 4,000 people attending the festivities, the Community Foundation is excited to showcase live local music performances by Julien Kozak and The Jeff Winard Band sponsored by Elliot’s Ace Hardware.

In addition to live music on the Honest Teeth Dentistry Alpine Yodeler stage, Oktoberfest will again feature a large Bier und Wine tent sponsored by Leinenkugel’s, a variety of food trucks including Hue Asian Kitchen and Nothing Bundt Cakes, as well as German and American food, pretzels and more. Attendees can participate in several traditional Oktoberfest games including Raise Your Pint on the Zisters/Hermanas stage, Hammerschlagen and a lederhosen/dirndl contest sponsored by Damage Control and Vantage Financial. There will also be a photo booth sponsored by Dental Associates to capture your Oktoberfest memories.

“Oktoberfest is becoming a local tradition as village residents and others gather each fall weekend to celebrate with one another and raise money for community projects.” said John Meser, President, Elm Grove Community Foundation. “We are excited to expand the festivities to Friday night this year and offer a fish fry, another well-known Wisconsin tradition.”

Based on its sold-out success in 2018 and 2019, the 0.5K Fun Run is now a permanent addition to Elm Grove Oktoberfest. “The World’s Most Important Race in the History of the World, Ever” is a tongue-in-cheek event that not only lampoons the typical 5K, but also those made-for-overachievers-obstacle-course-adventure-races (warning, this race is too short for adventure racing which means there is no adventure racing)! This race, which commences at 3:30 pm, is more of a walk/run beer parade from O’Donoghue’s Irish Pub, this year’s premier Race Sponsor, to the Village Park Oktoberfest grounds to kick off the day’s festivities. Adults over 21 will enjoy some great brews along the way. Registered runners/walkers get a race t-shirt, a beer at the start, at the half-way point and at the finish line which is our Oktoberfest beer tent. Children are encouraged to participate and will enjoy root beer along the course.

Official Auto Sponsor, Uptown Motors Automotive Group, will provide a pace car this year to ensure runners don’t veer off the course and once again offer shuttles to and from the race start line and to the park for the Oktoberfest celebration. Other race sponsors include Bib sponsor, The Richfield Companies, LLC, and Packet Pick Up sponsor Waukesha State Bank.

Admission to Oktoberfest is FREE and registration for the 0.5K is $35 (you can register online at our website). The Oktoberfest celebration will take place rain or shine. Since the Badger and the Packers won’t be playing at home, the foundation hopes that village residents along with family and friends will join us for another fun and memorable Oktoberfest celebration. We have plenty of volunteer opportunities available if you are interested in earning volunteer hours or just want to help.

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