Lombard church to host 44th Germanfest

The Village of Lombard is going back to its roots.

“Originally, Lombard was a German community,” said Dolores Chantos, chairwoman of Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s annual Germanfest. “The church decided to have a parish get-together 44 years ago, and over that time it has evolved into a big fest.”

The festival begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at the church, 114 S Elizabeth St., in Lombard, and continues through 7 p.m. Sunday, July 17.

It will feature carnival rides, kids games, bingo, casino nights, a raffle, a bags tournament, beer and wine tents, homemade German food and desserts and live musical entertainment.

Volunteers will be preparing and serving bratwurst, potato salad, sauerkraut, strudel and more.

Thursday is dollar night, and there will be $1 food specials all evening.

There will be several bands performing live music each day of the festival.

On Sunday, Lustigen Musikantin, a German band and dancers, will perform from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Also on Sunday, at 7 p.m. there will be the raffle drawing for a grand prize of $5,000.

Admission to the festival is free; Chantos said it’s the church’s largest fundraiser of the year.

The festivities each day will be located in the church parking lot, one block west of the Metra train station in downtown Lombard.

You can find more information about the festival, such as the entertainment schedule and menu, by visiting sacredheartlombard.org.

If you go

If you go

What: Sacred Heart Church German Fest

When: 5:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14; 5:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, July 15; 1-11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 17

Where: Sacred Heart Church, 114 S Elizabeth St., Lombard

Cost: Free admission; fees apply for activities, food, etc.

Info: sacredheartlombard.org