St. Mary's Oktoberfest Draws Large Crowds With Varied Activities

❮ ❯

ALTON - Kathy Budde emerged as the top raffle winner in the $10,000 Sweepstakes at St. Mary's Oktoberfest, held Friday through Sunday, Oct. 10-12, 2025, on the church grounds in Alton. The annual event, overseen this year by new Chairman Ryan Downey, featured a range of activities including a 5K race, live music, games, and traditional German ceremonies.

The full raffle sweepstakes winners will be released once everyone is notified, Carolyn Simansky, a spokesperson for the event, said.

Simansky described the weekend as having “great weather and really good” attendance. She noted that the event saw strong support from sponsors and participants, with sweepstakes sales potentially breaking previous records.

50% Off Multi-Sport Simulator Rental & More at Tee Shots Unlimited

Shop Local

Tee Shots

Get This Deal →

“It is such a good fundraiser for both church and school building updates,” Simansky said.

The festivities began Friday evening with a 5K Race and 1-mile walk, followed by a performance from The Glendale Riders. On Saturday at 1 p.m., Fr. Chris Uhl, OMV, pastor of St. Mary’s, offered an opening prayer in both German and English and blessed the beer and attendees in the Main Tent. Activities throughout the day included food, drinks, music on two stages, children’s games and inflatables, adult games of chance, a basket raffle, silent auction, and the $10,000 Sweepstakes.

Sunday’s schedule featured an 11 a.m. Mass in the Grass at Garfield/Barth Park, followed by lunch and the reopening of Oktoberfest activities. New additions this year included Oktoberfest Games immediately after Mass in the Main Tent and Traditional Bingo in Suddes Hall Gymnasium from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The basket raffle and silent online auction closed at 4 p.m. Sunday, with the $10,000 Sweepstakes winners drawn at 8:15 p.m. in the Main Tent. Sweepstakes tickets were available on the grounds until 8 p.m. Sunday, priced at $25 each or five for $100.

More like this:

Wood River Gets $10,000 For Illinois 250 Celebration, Approves Farmers Market, Parade Requests

May 20, 2026

Cooling Centers in the Riverbend Region for Summer 2026

5 days ago

Craft Fair and Bowling Fundraiser to Support Local First Responders

Jun 9, 2026

Hayner Library to Host Patriotic Concert, Other Summer Events

4 days ago

Rock the Blue 2026 aims to fund BackStoppers memberships for every Belleville police officer

Jun 1, 2026