Park Ridge Trucktoberfest is Sept. 21

Trucktoberfest is your chance to come celebrate everything we love about Oktoberfest — and the fall season in general. The 2024 event, held in Hodges Park, is presented by the Park Ridge Park District, MPowered Smiles Orthodontics, Harp & Fiddle, and Beer on the Wall and sponsored by this very magazine, The Real Park Ridge.

Swing by Hodges Park on Saturday, Sept. 21 to sample an assortment of beer and delicious food from local food trucks from 12-9 p.m. The children’s inflatables and activities area will run from noon-6 p.m. with a $5 wristband per child. The ceremonial tapping of the keg happens at 12:30, and the Ascension Dance Team will perform at 12:35. A DJ (noon-4 p.m.) will give way to bands like the Rosedale Ramblin’ Band (4-5 p.m.), Fitz and the Pretzel Twists (5:30-7 p.m.) and Todd and the Ten Pins (7:30-9 p.m.).

Hodges Park is located at 101 Courtland Ave. in Park Ridge.

The final Market After Dark is Sept. 28

Mark your calendars for the last Market After Dark of the summer on Saturday, September 28 at the Park Ridge Farmers’ Market lot in Uptown. If you weren’t able to make the first three of the summer, it’s a perfect opportunity to indulge in delicious food and drink, enjoy live music and shop from a wide variety of artisans and retailers. Oh, and don’t forget to take advantage of the “tasting passports” for $26, which allow you access to a bevy of samples from more than a dozen local breweries, distilleries and wineries. This event, which benefits the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, launched in June, has grown steadily throughout the summer and will be a regular summer staple for years to come.

The Real Park Ridge, as well as our sister publication, Illinois Brewing, has been proud to volunteer and utilize our industry connections for this great new community event, which runs 4:30-9:30 p.m.

At the Market After Dark Sept. 28, don’t forget to take advantage of the “tasting passports” for $26, which allow you access to a bevy of samples from more than a dozen local breweries, distilleries and wineries.

Goebbert’s Farm Oktoberfest Sept. 20-22

Oktoberfest at Goebbert’s Farm in Pingree Grove is a beloved annual authentic German celebration. This year, Oktoberfest is September 20-22, with Friday the 20th being Family Night — an evening full of fun, food, music and spectacular fireworks! Saturday night is adults only after 8 p.m. with more bands, games and tons of food and drink offerings. Get your fill of authentic German food, beer and activities all weekend long. Visit Goebberts.com for tickets and more info. 42W813 Reinking Road in Pingree Grove

Sketchbook Brewing’s annual Oktoberfest Sept. 20-22

Think tradition — with a few twists! Local food, fun games, contents and live music all three days make for one of Chicagoland’s largest Oktoberfest celebrations at Sketchbook Brewing’s spacious taproom and beer garden in Skokie. Four German beers (Märzen, hefeweizen, pilsner and a helles lager) will be ready to fill your steins, plus a wide range of other styles. 4901 Main Street in Skokie. SketchbookBrewing.com

Rosemont’s Family Fall Festival at Parkway Bank Park Sept. 29
Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district will kick off the fall season with the return of its annual Family Fall Festival on Sunday, September 29 from 1-5 p.m. The free event will feature a variety of free activities including bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, balloon sculptors, live music and more.

Parking for Family Fall Fest is available at the Parkway Bank Park parking garage and is free with validation from any of the park’s venues. 5501 Park Place in Rosemont. For more information, visit ParkwayBankPark.com

Park Ridge Park District’s Trunk or Treat Oct. 25

It’s time to step into a world of spooktacular fun at the annual Park Ridge Park District Trunk or Treat, which will be Friday, Oct. 25 from 6-8 p.m. Held in the Centennial Fitness Center parking lot, local businesses and other organizations create a maze of themed trunks filled with treats and surprises for kids to meander through. The registration deadline for families to partake is Oct. 18, so don’t miss out. Visit PRParks.org for more information and to register.

Shemroon Kabab House

Deals around town

One hopes you’ve tried their incredible kababs by now, but you should know that Shemroon Kabab House’s happy hour is tough to beat as well. From 2-5 p.m. on Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday, beers are $3.50, cocktails $8 and house wine is $6 per glass and $24 per bottle.

Looking to get over the hump mid-week? You can get a $9 burger and fries at Mystic Rogue in Norwood Park every Wednesday.

Easy Street Pizza in Park Ridge’s South Park neighborhood offers half-price pizza on Mondays and and a scrumptious $7 diner burger with fries on Tuesdays.

At Patina Wine Bar, you can enjoy a complimentary wine tasting on the last Saturday of every month from 12-3 p.m. And their happy hour runs Tuesday-Thursday from 4-6 p.m. with $2 oysters, $12 flatbreads, $10 meatballs, crostinis, chickpeas and shishitos, and $8 glasses of wine.

Head to the popular Zia’s Social in Norwood Park Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. for 25 percent off pizza and select appetizers, as well as $16-$18 domestic/import buckets, $6 Absolut U-Call-Its and $5.50 High Noons. And Thursdays mean Ladies Night, with $14 pizzas, $10 old fashioned and Manhattan cocktails, $8 sparkling rosé and prosecco, $7 sangria and $6 lemon drop and green tea shots.