German American Fest – September 11 > 13, 2009

This year's German American Fest will be held September 11 > 13, 2009, centered at the intersection of Leland / Western Avenue / Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. I go for some great brats, and beer.

For more information: http://www.germanday.com/index.html

This is a great event that I try to get to each year.

We were going to go, until we found out that the beer, food & music mostly happen on Sunday, and that Saturday's main event is the Von Steuben parade. Obviously we won't be able to go on Sunday as we'll be otherwise indisposed.

Is there plenty of beer drinking & brat eating on Saturday as well?

My recollection is that food and beer are served each of the days - starting tonight. I've visited mostly on a Saturday, and a couple of times on a Sunday . . . and maybe a Friday night on the way home from work . . . because I can catch a bus home from the Leland/Western Brown Line station.

Is the food & drink setup like every other Chicago street festival (standard food/beer tents), or are there beer garden-type setups? Where are most of the food & drink vendors centered, near the Western brown line station?

I appreciate your info! It's especially helpful because the official site is surprisingly light on the useful tidbits like this.

Food vendors are in Leland as is one stage. Beverages are in the big tent in the south parking lot, which is where one stage and most of the seating are. The north parking lot has sort of sideshow stuff and may have some beer.

Friday evening is definitely active for food and beer. Saturday afternoon will be mobbed with people. More than a few people will park west of Rockwell and even across the river. Friday and Saturday late evenings have a history of attracting some overage frat boy types. Sunday afternoon is more family groups.

Very useful stuff - thanks for posting it!

I'll pass this onto the rest of our group (especially the "mobbed" part) and see what they think. If we can somehow fit this in with my desire to watch the Michigan-ND game, I'll be a very happy camper

I stopped at the Fest for Dinner tonight - about 6:15, me and maybe 5,000 other folks in that confined area. Both food and beer was top-notch.

Brats in the Pot



Brats on the Grill



Brat Sandwich, German Potato Salad and Sauerkraut



Plum Cake