The Village of Glendale Heights allegedly transferred rights to run the annual Oktoberfest to Schnitzel Platz Restaurant in March 2026, following complaints from residents that were landing on the restaurant's own reviews despite being tied to the festival's previous operator, according to Schnitzel Platz owner Chuck Wozniak.

But when Elka Inc., the company that had organized the festival since 2012, posted on the event's Facebook page nearly six months later, it told followers the opposite: that the Glendale Heights Oktoberfest would not be taking place this year. The post did not mention that the village had reassigned the festival to a new organizer months earlier. Wozniak said Schnitzel Platz does not control that Facebook account and has been blocked from even viewing it.

The result was widespread confusion among residents who saw the Sept. 10 post and believed the festival was canceled entirely, rather than continuing under new management.

The Village of Glendale Heights issued a civic alert the same day calling the post misinformation, without detailing what it said. The village confirmed Schnitzel Platz is now the event's organizer and said Oktoberfest is not a village-run event, directing all questions to the restaurant.

Wozniak said residents had complained for some time about aspects of the festival under its previous operator — complaints that ended up affecting Schnitzel Platz's own reputation and reviews even though the restaurant wasn't running the event at the time.

Elka Inc.'s Facebook post, addressed to followers as "the Glendale Heights Oktoberfest® Family," said unspecified circumstances outside its control meant the event would not happen this year and thanked the community for past memories. A follow-up comment from the account said Elka Inc. is not running any Oktoberfest in Glendale Heights this year and does not want this year's event associated with the festival's prior years.

Schnitzel Platz's connection to the festival predates this year's dispute. A 2020 village press release identified Chef Wolfgang Beyer of Schnitzel Platz as the event's chairperson at the time, crediting him with helping build the festival since 2012 alongside Elka Inc. — the same company whose Sept. 10 post created this year's confusion.

If you go

Despite the confusion, the 11-day festival is proceeding at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., through Sept. 20. The event's website lists live music nightly, German food from the Schnitzel Platz kitchen and a kids' play zone with bounce houses. Menu prices range from $8 kids' meals to a $28 pork shank dinner; bratwurst and schnitzel sandwiches run $14 each.

Upcoming schedule:

  • Friday, Sept. 11: Elmhurst University Jazz Band (5–7 p.m.), Eddie Korosa Oktoberfest Band (7:30–10:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday, Sept. 12: Die Kellerknaban (1–5 p.m.), Bratwurst Brothers (6:30–10:30 p.m.)
  • Sunday, Sept. 13: Die Musikmeistiers (1–5 p.m.), Euro Express (6–10 p.m.)
  • Monday, Sept. 14: Eddie Korosa Oktoberfest Band (5:30 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Wednesday, Sept. 16: Johnny Wagner (5:30 p.m.)
  • Thursday, Sept. 17 – Friday, Sept. 18: Eddie Korosa Oktoberfest Band (5:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday, Sept. 19: Jack Pals Oktoberfest (1–3 p.m.), Denmo Fest (3:30–5:30 p.m.), Wurst Kase Scenario (6:30–10:30 p.m.)
  • Sunday, Sept. 20: Euro Express (1–5 p.m.)