Wie gehts! Oktoberfest kicks off on Riverfront

PEORIA (25News Now) - Grab your lederhosen, dirndls and steins. Oktoberfest returned to the Riverfront once again.

“It’s actually the first day of Oktoberfest in Germany as well,” social media coordinator Angie Blasek said. “There’s a lot of things, but the people really do make the fest.”

People came in a steady stream after Friday’s workday for the first night, which was filled with music, German heritage, food, and -- of course -- beer.

This year, there are some special guests from Germany. Chillicothe’s Sportsman Club invited their sister marksmen group, the Schuetzengilde Treuenbrietzen, for two weeks in the River City. Treuenbrietzen is about an hour south of Berlin.

Michael Henzen of the group said it’s been fun for their group of ten to see Illinois, and meet Americans eager to test out their German lessons.

“It’s fun, it’s nice to see something different from Germany and just have fun,” he said. “Nice weather, lots of beer, and so many guys here like to talk to us in German.”

There’s still a weekend full of music and activities rooted in German heritage. The first Daschund race will take place Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

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