Next Stop: Berwyn's Historic Depot District

OKTOBERFEST MELDS GREAT MUSIC, FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT AND DOG-TOBERFEST FOR THIS SUMMER'S LAST HURRAH

BERWYN, Ill., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Berwyn Historic Depot District Special Events Committee of the Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC) is celebrating its tenth annual Oktoberfest on Friday, September 17 (6-11 p.m.) and Saturday, September 18, 2010 (Noon-11 p.m.). This two-day event will take place on Windsor and Stanley Avenues, between Home and Oak Park Avenues and will include live performances, children's amusement rides and entertainment, crafters, food vendors, and of course, ice cold beer. Back for its second year, the festival will also feature Dog-toberfest, a dog-friendly entertainment area equipped with a "Doggie Beer Garden." Admission is free.

Beginning as a one-day event, Oktoberfest has grown over the past decade into one of Berwyn's premier events and expects to attract over 10,000 attendees from the Chicagoland area. Today, the festival is a weekend celebration filled with attractions that suit all ages and palates. "Oktoberfest is the BDC's last big festival of the year and we aim to make it an extravaganza, showcasing the best of our community while enticing folks in the area to Buy Berwyn. Our committee has worked hard to bring recognition to Berwyn's unique Depot District. This festival provides a place for our long-term and new residents to share in our community pride and for visitors to also get in on what we've called Chicagoland's 'best-kept secret' here in our neighborhood. We have a diverse community and we believe this event has something for everyone," said Alderman Nona Chapman, one of the lead organizers of the event.

The Historic Depot District Special Events Committee guarantees a family-friendly community atmosphere with something for everybody, even the family dog. The main stage will feature musical acts 16 Candles and Heartsfield on Friday and Buzz Kilman & the Blues Rocket Scientists Band, Velvet Jimis, R-Gang, Joanna Connor Band, and the winner of Berwyn Park District's Battle of the Bands on Saturday. From 7–9 p.m. on Friday, Lindsey, the Loop Rock Girl, will also make an appearance at the event. The Bobby Mutz Band will play polka in the tent on Saturday afternoon.

The family pavilion welcomes games and activities from the Berwyn Park District and North Berwyn Park District. Other featured activities and acts include a carnival, Damen Avenue Puppets, Riverside Children's Theater Guild, Pocket Circus, Just Cause Dancers, Sokol Tabor Acrobatics, the Peggy Rose Academy of Dance troupe, and Joe the Magician. Musical entertainment will be brought by Berwyn's own Seppuku Survivor as well as the Happiness Club. What's more, just across Grove Avenue, Dog-toberfest will welcome dogs and dog-lovers of all ages. The area will offer a "Doggie Lounge" where the family pup can play under the sprinklers, get a bath, and snack on Pupizzas & Doggie Brew. There will also be vendors, a pet psychic, a caricature artist, and other interactive games.

Additional information on Oktoberfest in Berwyn, IL can be obtained through the Berwyn Development Corporation at (708) 788-8100 or at http://www.BerwynOktoberfest.com.

The Berwyn Historic Depot District Special Events Committee is a committee of the BERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (BDC). The BDC is a public-private partnership with the City of Berwyn that provides economic development and Chamber of Commerce services to all segments of the Berwyn community. The BDC is a not-for-profit membership organization that serves over 300 business and individual members. The BDC focuses its efforts on those activities that will improve the overall climate for local businesses and residents, in addition to encouraging the development of new commercial venues and employment opportunities. The BDC continually strives to develop new programs, services and events that promote Berwyn businesses and the community.

SOURCE Berwyn Development Corp