Knights of Columbus Hosts Second Oktoberfest Event

Chris Pratscher selected her Chinese raffle prizes with a practical bent.

“I’m kind of hoping for the Pups in Suds because my dog needs a grooming,” Pratscher, a Romeoville resident, said after she placed one of her raffle tickets in the pot in front of a basket full of canine treats, including bones, biscuits, toys and a discount coupon for the  Romeoville groomer.

A Chinese raffle gives ticket-holders the opportunity to aim for specific prizes by choosing which drawings to enter.

Pratscher was one of more than 200 guests at the second annual Oktoberfest dinner presented by the Bishop Kaffer Council 10944 Knights of Columbus Council at Catholic Church Saturday night.

A parishioner at the church, Pratscher said her husband is a fourth-degree knight with the 10944 council.

“We come to these all the time. They’re a lot of fun,” she said.

The evening included a silent auction, featuring a signed football by Bears legend Steve McMichael, and a live auction. All auction items were donated, many by local businesses, said Marc Camden, the Knights council treasurer.

And it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without glasses and steins of beer to wash down generous portions of German culinary fare.

“We have a nice dinner provided by Uncle Bub’s in Westmont,” said Rick Skorski, a member of the Knights and one of the event chairmen.

Skorksi and his fellow Knights served entrees that included pork loin, bratwurst, spaetzle, sauerkraut and German potato salad.

Proceeds, Skorski said, will help support a variety of charities. Money raised by the auction sale of the McMichael football will help pay for a seminarian’s schooling costs, he said.

Skorski said the first Oktoberfest at St. Andrews, held last year, was such a success that the council decided to bring it back again this year.

“It’s an opportunity for the parish and the community to come on out,” he said.

Camden said about 210 people attended this year, topping last year’s guest total by about 50 people.

Katie and Jim Webb, of Plainfield, enjoyed pretzel appetizers with their son, A.J., 9, as they awaited dinner.

Katie Webb said a family friend is a member of the Knights. The Webbs were at the inaugural Oktoberfest last year, she said, so they made it a point to come back this year.

“It’s just a family environment,” she said. “You don’t know anybody, but you get brought together with them. Everybody starts mingling and jumping tables.”