Go crazy at this year's Glenview Blocktoberfest
Brian Schafer had a simple reason for helping create Glenview's Blocktoberfest.
"To bring the community together ... that's Blocktoberfest," Schafer said.
The celebration runs from noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 30 on Glenview Road, between Church and Pine streets. In 2022, police estimated Blocktoberfest drew around 15,000 people.
A full day of live music, four bands warm up the stage for headliner The Prince Project. Former "American Idol" contestant Shane T. Golden fronts a full band performing a tribute to Prince and The Revolution.
"Something that's going to pump up the crowd and the community is what we're looking for, fun vibes," said Schafer, who booked the bands.
Friends of Downtown Glenview chair Linda Felter, who's on the Blocktoberfest planning committee, agreed.
"We're really excited about that, especially because Prince's style of music reaches over the generations," she said.
Golden is bringing a replica of the purple motorcycle used in the movie and shown on the album cover of Prince's "Purple Rain." It'll be in the VIP area, available for photos with Golden.
Blocktoberfest is free to attend, but there is a charge for food and drinks, as well as the VIP area at Church Street and Glenview Road, next to the stage.
The VIP ticket is $100 in advance or $125 at the door. Tickets for children under 18 are $20, with children allowed in the VIP area until 7 p.m. VIP comes with perks such as a meal ticket, a Blocktoberfest mug and tickets for hard seltzer, beer or wine.
Food purveyors are Ten Ninety, Forza Meats, Smetana and Glenview Grind, Felter said.
Schafer, a 14-year Glenview resident, said Ten Ninety also is providing the wine, seltzer and beers. Craft beers, under the hand of Ten Ninety brewer Gibbs Lippai, include a seasonal Oktoberfest, the 1915 lager, and Juice God, a hazy IPA. Domestic light beer also will be available.
A Kid Zone from noon to 4 p.m. will offer crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, karaoke, games, giveaways and vendors.
Wesley Child Care is a Blocktoberfest sponsor, along with Glenview Bank and Trust and Realtor Anne DuBray. The presenters are Friends of Downtown Glenview, Fields Auto Group and Ten Ninety.
"You can't have an Oktoberfest party without a nice German band," Schafer said.
At noon, Euro Express kicks off the music. They will be followed by Sincerely Sarlacc, a 1970s-'90s rock cover band familiar to Glenview.
Hoopla will play its blues-based classic rock from about 3:30 to 5 p.m., followed by The Victor Brown Band from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Steeped in Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead, the self-described "funk-soul hybrid" recently headlined the Northfield Township Food Pantry benefit, Pantry Palooza.
The Prince Project will take the stage around 8 p.m. for a two-hour set.
More Blocktoberfest information and VIP registration is online at glenviewblocktoberfest.com.
"Most people think Oktoberfest is beer tents and just people drinking. Ours is a carnival. It's a fun-filled day for the whole family," Schafer said. "There's kids' activities during the day, then you can take them home, get a sitter and come back at night for a Prince show."