Mild autumn weather launched Oktoberfest in Long Grove on Oct. 5 at Buffalo Creek Brewing on its third anniversary of being in business.

Owner/Brewmaster Mike Marr of Vernon Hills and crew handcrafted a special batch “bock” dark reserve of authentic German beer as part of the Saturday celebration of German-style beverage enjoyment, eating and playing.

Cristina Ciupuliga (from second left) of Jefferson Park, Raluca Cupic of North Mayfair with her daughter Sofia, 2, and Elena Grozavu of Jefferson Park and her daughter Anna, 2 months, on a tractor ride. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

The family event was held on Buffalo Creek Brewing’s premises at its taproom, the second level Rustic Room and biergarten.

Outdoor grounds featured pumpkin decorating, Hammerschlagen (nail driving contest), stein holding (beer holding strength contest) and tractor rides in downtown Long Grove.

“Historic Long Grove was originally settled by German immigrants,” Marr said.

“It’s fitting that Buffalo Creek Brewing honors its roots by throwing the suburb’s biggest Oktoberfest party.”

With the Rotary Club of Long Grove, Kildeer and Hawthorn Woods, Oktoberfest was also for a good cause at 360 Historical Lane.

“We’ve actually decided to make Oktoberfest a fundraiser,” Marr said.

Proceeds from a raffle, which featured more than $7,000 in value prizes, benefited the local Rotary Club.

Mike Marr of Vernon Hills, owner of Buffalo Creek Brewing, raises a glass of German brown ale. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

“In order to be a citizen and any part of any community, you really want to be a part of that community and part of that is actually giving back and doing charitable work,” Marr said.

“I’ve done that my entire life.”

Rotary is a good partnership, Marr said.

“It’s a great combination,” Marr said.

Greg Cardelli of Hawthorn Woods is president of the Rotary Club of Long Grove, Kildeer and Hawthorn Woods.

“It’s really worked out well and Mike is doing an outstanding job,” Cardelli said.

“His team has just really helped out … (to) bring the community together.

“And that’s what it’s really about, is having fun while still giving back to the community.”

Cardelli said the local Rotary Club is actively involved as a good neighbor.

“We do a lot for the local community, food pantries, we provide dinners, roadside cleanup, and really just try to give back to the community as best we can,” Cardelli said.

Alex (left) and Sandi Bersin of Long Grove raise a stein of German brown ale “bock” beer. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

Other brewery specialties include a candy corn flavored beer for Halloween, a barrel-aged bourbon variety for November plus a pumpkin pie batch in time for Thanksgiving.

“We work real hard,” Marr said.

Trying his hand at Hammerschlagen, the nail driving game, was Ryan Birch of Barrington, also part of the Rotary Club of Long Grove, Kildeer and Hawthorn Woods.

Hammerschlagen, “is more agility and hand-eye coordination than anything, I think,” Birch said.

About Rotary, “We’ve been trying to raise funds for different projects throughout the community as well as throughout the world, so Rotary does a lot of good things here locally, donating coats to the poor and providing meals for the needy during the holiday season,” Birch said.

Sampling the German dark ale that afternoon and dressed in festive German clothing were Alex and Sandi Bersin of Long Grove.

“It’s an almost gone beer,” Alex Bersin said, joking, as he held his near empty glass stein, now up for a refill.

Eloise Johnson, 4, of Barrington paints a pumpkin. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/for Chronicle Media)

The two sang a traditional European song as they tapped steins at the tune’s conclusion.

“My children speak German and unfortunately, we don’t, and we enjoy the (Oktoberfest) celebration and we try to carry the tradition on,” Sandi Bersin said.

Painting a small pumpkin was Eloise Johnson, 4, of Barrington.

“We’re maximizing the fun while we’re out here at an Oktoberfest,” said Eloise’s uncle Jared Fedota of Hanover Park, who helped Eloise at the pumpkin activity table.

David Johnson, Eloise’s father, thanked Buffalo Creek Brewing for the Oktoberfest event and encouraged them to pursue future brewery history in antique plus modern Long Grove.

“It’s great, I enjoy your beers, congratulations to three years and keep it up,” David Johnson said.

Going on a tractor ride around Long Grove were Cristina Ciupuliga of Jefferson Park, Raluca Cupic of North Mayfair with her daughter Sofia, 2, and Elena Grozavu of Jefferson Park and her daughter Anna, 2 months.

“We’re excited,” Cupic said with a smile as her family waited for a turn on the tractor carriage ride.

“We love Long Grove.”