October 2 - 4, 2015 Free Admission (Chicago) ? Cheerful shouts of ?Prost!? will resonate as St. Benedict Parish and School celebrates its German roots at the 50th Annual OktoberFest, held from October 2nd through October 4th in the Parish courtyard at 2215 W. Irving Park Road. As one of Chicago's longest-running family fall classics, St. Ben's has been honoring the spirit of the Bavarian Oktoberfest since 1966. More than 2000 attendees from the Northcenter neighborhood come together each year to the historic grounds of St. Benedict for authentic oompah bands, Spaten bier and specialty cuisine under a tented (and heated if necessary) beer hall. However, the FREE St. Benedict's OktoberFest is much more than the typical German-themed event; this family-friendly celebratory reunion features components for all ages such as carnival midway rides, activities and games, the $1500 Grand Prize ?520 Pool?, and much more. The stage will be headlined with energetic performances from traditional German party bands, and features the German-American Commemoration Day Concert, Sunday Oct 4th at 2:30, representing members from forty-five German clubs throughout Chicagoland. For more information, visit www.StBensOktoberFest.com. Sponsored by: Wintrust North Center Bank, St. Benedict's Holy Name Society, Grace and Leavitt Tavern, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Donna Schultz Design, Old Chicago Construction, Kane Insurance Group Inc, Fernando's Mexican Restaurant, Dun-Wel Lithograph, Louis Glunz Beer, Inc., Himmel's Chicago, Molloy Masonry, and Northcenter Electric Inc. WHAT: For 50 years, St. Benedict has hosted OktoberFest, featuring authentic oom-pah bands, beer, specialty cuisine and quality family entertainment for all ages, such as carnival rides, games and much more. This special 50th Anniversary event also hosts the German-American Commemoration Day Concert representing members from forty-five German clubs throughout Chicagoland. More information is available at www.StBensOktoberFest.com. WHEN: October 2nd through October 4th (Fri 3pm - 10pm, Sat 1pm ? 10pm & Sun 1pm ? 9pm) WHERE: OktoberFest is located in the St. Benedict courtyard at 2215 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60618. Public transportation: CTA buses (Irving Park or Western Avenue Routes) and the CTA Brown Line El (Irving Park stop). WHY: OktoberFest is St. Benedict's fall fundraising event, held annually since 1966. Proceeds from the festival are utilized to benefit local outreach, school programming, and fund church operations, restoration and other Parish initiatives. WHO: St Bendict's Parish is in the heart of Northcenter, with Roscoe Village to the south, Albany Park to the west, and Lincoln Square to the north. St Benedict's has been part of these communities and their families since 1902.