Sept. 15--The Berghoff held it's first open-air Oktoberfest -- with food, beer, dancing and a 13-piece brass ensemble -- in 1985 in front of the iconic restaurant at 17 W. Adams St. in Chicago's Loop.
This year The Berghoff will mark the outdoor celebration's 30th anniversary with three days of German food, beer, music, live Bavarian polka performances and revelry at the John C. Kluczynski Federal Plaza. Admission is free, and it runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, through Friday, Sept. 18, on the plaza on Dearborn Street between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard.
Brats, pretzels, apple strudel (some 1,000 were consumed last year) and more, as well as Berghoff's private-label Oktoberfest beer will be available for purchase. Entertainment includes: Alpine Thunder (11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday); Spoken Four (5-9 p.m. Wednesday); Sixteen Candles (5-9 p.m. Thursday) and Semple (5-9 p.m. Friday).
Wait, wait! There's more: If the mention of 1985 makes you nostalgic, head to the plaza Thursday. That's Eighties Night. Don your best '80s threads, and get ready to rock 5-9 p.m. to '80s cover band Sixteen Candles. Prove you were born in 1985, and get a free slice of apple strudel when you purchase a sandwich and drink. There's also an Eighties Trivia Challenge (with prizes) at the festival and on Berghoff's Facebook page.
The Berghoff Oktoberfest celebration continues inside the restaurant (that Herman Berghoff opened in 1898) through October with a special menu and events, including Prost! A Final Toast To Oktoberfest from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 3. For more details on Oktoberfest, go to: www.theberghoff.com/oktoberfest-in-chicago.
