GREENVILLE — Greenville Elks Lodge 1139 will host its third annual Elktoberfest Friday, Oct. 16, featuring German food, live entertainment, vendors, games, and prize drawings.
The event begins at 5 p.m. in the lodge’s front parking lot and will take place rain or shine. Membership is not required to attend.
Eric Blumenstock, the lodge’s club manager, said the celebration has grown each year.
“We started off three years ago; it was kind of a small event, and it’s kind of growing every year,” Blumenstock said. “Last year we were packed, and this year we look forward to being even better.”
Schmidt’s Sausage Truck, from Columbus’ German Village, will return after a popular appearance last year. Blumenstock said the truck expects to begin serving at 4:30 p.m. to accommodate early arrivals.
“We had a line pretty much around the building last year, so I asked them to come a little early,” he said.
A beer truck will offer German-inspired draft selections, along with Rhinegeist Apple Pie Bubbles. They will also serve hot cider, with or without alcohol.
Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans will perform from 5 to 8 p.m., bringing traditional German music, polkas, and opportunities to dance. The Fort Wayne Tänzer German dance troupe will perform in traditional attire at 7 and 8 p.m.
Local band Vintage Three will close the evening with a performance from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
A large tent will accommodate the band and tables, providing shelter if the weather turns wet.
Raffle drawings begin at 5 p.m., with prizes including an Igloo party-style cooler on wheels and a Solo Stove fire pit. Cash prizes will be awarded hourly throughout the evening, and vendor-donated door prizes will be given away every 15 minutes.
Blumenstock announced vendors including Altman Farms, Single J’s Custom Print, BNI Metal Designs, Happy Lark, and the Hive Collective. The Fort Wayne dance troupe will also operate a fundraising booth selling German-themed hats, flags, and other items.
Activities will include a chuck-a-luck wheel and a mug-sliding game in which participants try to land a mug on a designated spot.
Blumenstock thanked the event’s entertainment sponsors for helping the lodge expand this year’s lineup. Sponsors identified in the interview include Spenser Exterior Services, Grilliot Alignment Service, Hansbarger Home Solutions, Tribute Funeral Homes and Barga Heating and Air.
“We want to thank them for helping us make all this possible,” he said. “We’re able to add some extra entertainment this year.”
Blumenstock encouraged visitors to step inside the lodge, tour the facility, and speak with staff about membership.
“It’s open to the public. You don’t have to be a member to come out,” he said. “We want to see as many people out there that haven’t seen the lodge come out and check us out.”
The celebration also offers an opportunity to learn about the lodge’s community involvement.
Blumenstock said the Elks have supported Greenville’s softball scoreboard fund, provided meals for the football team and made the facility available at no charge for school athletic fundraising events. Those events have included Monte Carlo nights for the Franklin Monroe booster club and Greenville football boosters.
The lodge also hosts Greenville’s football banquet and will host a girls basketball Night at the Races fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 17.
Other efforts include annual school supply donations, support for veterans and contributions to programs benefiting people with cerebral palsy.
“Anybody out there looking for some help, just get in touch and see what we’re able to help them out with,” Blumenstock said.
