A Toast to Bluff SchuetzenFest!

The fourth annual Schuetzenfest was held Saturday on Monument Hill in La Grange. The Heritage and Beer Fest that harkens back to Bluff parties of old, started with a 5K Fun Run from downtown to the park. New this year for the event was a category for “Best German Dressed Runner” which was won by Bonnie Haverda of La Grange (top, right). Julie Holmstrom, top left, ran the race dressed as a beer mug. Opening ceremonies began at 11:15 a.m. with a “Frisch Auf!” Banner Raising and Root Beer Toast.

La Grange High School German teacher Tracey Faske was chosen as lead flag bearer because of her contributions to German culture here and volunteerism at the event. Faske (below) holds up the first cup of root beer from a keg donated by La Grange Brewing’s John and Wendy Rohan (standing behind Faske), who tapped the keg and then served to all at the ceremony. Games and revelry continued all day, including beer from 18 different breweries.