Glendale Heights Oktoberfest

09/27/2024

We at the Glendale Heights Oktoberfest® would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who came out to celebrate the "12th Annual Glendale Heights Oktoberfest®" with us this year. It warms our hearts to hear so many people call our event "The Best Oktoberfest in Chicagoland." Your enthusiasm and support are what make this celebration so special, year after year.

This year held even more meaning for us, as it was our first Oktoberfest without the beloved Chef Wolfgang. Seeing so many of you come together to share fond memories of him truly touched our hearts. Chef Wolfgang's passion, talent, and spirit left an unforgettable mark on this festival, and we know he will always be proud of this year's event.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this year’s celebration. Prost to Chef Wolfgang, and to all of you who make this event so wonderful!

09/27/2024

We are thrilled to announce that on September 22, we drew the grand finalist for our "Win a Trip to Germany" contest! Everyone who purchased a stein or joined us as a VIP guest earned an entry, and each day we selected one lucky ticket from that day's entries. On the final day, we drew from those 11 daily winners to reveal the grand prize winner.

We are extremely excited to congratulate Alexis T., who has won the unforgettable trip to Germany! She’s eagerly anticipating her adventure, and we couldn’t be happier for her. Congratulations, Alexis!

09/18/2024

We thank all of our guests that have come to our Glendale Heights Oktoberfest every year, and who look forward to our event. There may be some misinformation out there as to who owns and runs the Glendale Heights Oktoberfest. We hope that we can address those questions and rumors here.

ELKA, Inc. has proudly organized the Glendale Heights Oktoberfest since its inception in 2012. Established in Glendale Heights in 1998, ELKA was also the original owner of the Schnitzel Platz Restaurant until its sale in 2019. Since the sale, the restaurant has had no involvement in the Oktoberfest. Despite any public statements suggesting otherwise, there have been no changes in the ownership or management of the Glendale Heights Oktoberfest.

Following the sale of the Schnitzel Platz, Chef Wolfgang partnered with Chef Terrell Cole of Dark Horse Catering to oversee the event's culinary offerings. Chef Wolfgang personally trained Chef Terrell in his recipes and techniques, and since then, Chef Terrell has excelled in running the kitchen for the Oktoberfest.

Sadly, Chef Wolfgang passed away shortly after last year's event. In his honor, his wife Elfriede and sons Diethard and Keith continue to manage and operate the Glendale Heights Oktoberfest, maintaining the same dedication and tradition they have upheld since the festival's inaugural year in 2012.

09/14/2024

09/14/2024

Banner honoring founder of Glendale Heights Oktoberfest, Chef Wolfgang Beyer.