This year only: Cheers to a new way of celebrating community
While the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce's annual Octoberfest has been synonymous with fun for four decades, it's more than just a party. Since its inception in 1981, Octoberfest has reinvested nearly $3 million in local businesses and nonprofit organizations. It is with this vital purpose in mind that we re-imagine the 2020 celebration-canceled in its traditional form due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but still going strong for our community with your support.
Your favorite businesses have partnered with your favorite nonprofits to promote both shopping local and giving back to stay #FoxCitiesStrong.So while the big party takes the year off, we hope you'll say "Prost!" to these opportunities to celebrate community spirit during Octoberfest Reimagined, Sept. 26-Oct. 30, 2020:
Murray Photo Supports Marigold Mile
Sept. 1-Oct. 31
Life is beautiful, and when you celebrate the visual arts at Murray Photo - your local camera store in downtown Appleton - during Octoberfest Reimagined, you can give to support Marigold Mile, a nonprofit that has been beautifying South Oneida Street for more than 30 years. Make your donation at the register, and be sure to enter their Marigold Mile photo contest now through Sept. 30. Snap one of the three best marigold images and win a gift certificate to Murray Photo!
Wisconsin Distributors Supports Bubolz Nature Preserve
Sept. 26-Oct. 24
Purchase a pack of fall's finest beers from Wisconsin Distributors during Octoberfest Reimagined and the proceeds will go to support the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve - one of our community's premier destinations for outdoor recreation and environmental education. Go online to order a beer 6-pack, a beer 12-pack, a bottle of Elmaro cranberry wine, or a commemorative beer stein during one of two sales blocks: Sept. 26-Oct. 8 (for pickup at Bubolz Oct. 9) or Oct. 9-19 (for pickup Oct. 23-24). All beer packs include Spaten Oktoberfest, and four lucky six-pack purchasers will also win free admission for two to the popular "BrewSki" event at Bubolz (Feb. 2021).
Xe54: a Wine & Cocktail Lounge Supports Peaceful Purpose, Inc.
Sept. 26
See you at Xe54 on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 3-10 p.m. for a raffle, drink specials, and a beautiful opportunity to give back. Neenah's funky wine and craft cocktail hotspot will use this Octoberfest Reimagined event to kick off its annual "Lift our Purpose" fundraiser to support Peaceful Purpose, Inc. Peaceful Purpose is an Appleton-based nonprofit that provides no- or low-cost head coverings, wigs, hats, head shavings, and haircuts to community members struggling with medical hair loss, helping to build confidence and provide emotional support along their journey.
Cousins Subs Supports St. Joseph Food Program
Sept. 26-30
Bring your non-perishable food donation to Cousins Subs' Northland Mall location (706 W. Northland Ave., Appleton) Sept. 26-30 and support St. Joseph Food Program's fight against hunger in the Fox Cities. For every $5 of food you donate, Cousins will give you a coupon for a free chocolate or vanilla shake. You can also add $1 for St. Joe's at the Cousins register Sept. 26-27 - plus 15% of net sales that weekend will be invested in the hunger fight.
Fox Cities Restaurants Support the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
Sept. 26-Oct. 4
It's a different kind of "restaurant week" this Octoberfest Reimagined as local eateries throw their support behind the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a precious community gem which hopes to reopen its doors in 2021. Make your donation to support local arts when you dine in or carry out from any of these restaurants Sept. 26-Oct. 4: ACOCA Coffee, Appleton; Appleton Beer Factory, Appleton; Bagelicious, Appleton; The Bar - The Avenue, Appleton; Copper Rock Coffee Company, Downtown and North Appleton; George's Steakhouse, Appleton; Good Company, Appleton; Katsu-Ya of Japan, Appleton; Pullman's, Appleton; Spats Tav on the Ave, Appleton; Van Abel's of Hollandtown, Kaukana; and Zuppas Cafe, Neenah.
Garden View Family Restaurant Supports Fox Valley Literacy Council
Sept. 26-Oct. 10
Grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Garden View Family Restaurant in Appleton Sept. 26-Oct. 10 and 10% of the proceeds from your check will go directly to the Fox Valley Literacy Council, which provides both basic education and English language learning services to adult readers in the Valley. The Council has been changing lives for over 30 years - and now, during Octoberfest Reimagined, there's a simple way to contribute to their work and enjoy a great local meal, too.
BLC Community Bank Supports St. Paul Elder Services
Sept. 26-Oct. 31
We don't want to see the walls at BLC Community Bank in Little Chute! By the end of Octoberfest Reimagined, bank leaders hope to cover their walls with donation cards from community members who choose to support the vital work of St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna - a Catholic, Franciscan-sponsored community that provides specialized programs designed to enhance the lives of aging individuals. Stop by BLC's customer service desk to make your donation now through Oct. 31. At the end of this campaign, BLC Community Bank will match community donations up to $10,000.
Heid Music Supports Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra
Sept. 26-Oct. 26
It isn't really Octoberfest Reimagined unless there's music in the air.
Bazil's Pub Supports Friends of the Appleton Fire Department
Oct. 1-31
Bazil's Pub, a beloved upscale bar and grill in downtown Appleton with more than 150 craft beers on the menu, invites the community to come on down for a bowl of their delicious chili during Octoberfest Reimagined. All chili purchases made on from October 1st through the 31st will benefit Friends of Appleton Fire Department. Your support of Friends of AFD provides our hometown heroes with resources to protect their health, safety, and education. It also ensures a better quality of life in Appleton, as funds raised support community education programs and life-saving services. See you at Bazil's as we warm up October!
Whistler's Knoll Vineyard Supports CAP Services
Oct. 3
Spend a Saturday in the vineyard as Whistler's Knoll and local food vendors rally together to support CAP Services, the nonprofit that has long been on the front line of the war on poverty in northeast Wisconsin with housing, transportation, job assistance, child care, wellness, and crisis services. So eat, drink, and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery at Whistler's Knoll Vineyard in Hortonville on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 3=7 p.m. Ten percent of all profits from this festive Octoberfest Reimagined event will be donated to CAP Services.
Wilder's Cutting Edge Bistro Supports Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
Oct. 4-8
This Octoberfest Reimagined, leave the cooking to Wilder's Bistro in Appleton. For every curbside pickup order placed Oct. 4-8, 5 percent of each ticket total will be donated to the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, which has a proud history of advocating for and creating affordable housing in the Fox Valley and lifting families out of poverty. Wilder's Bistro's creative cuisine is sure to create a party atmosphere at home. And creating a safer future for Fox Cities families is an added bonus we can all get behind! (Promotion valid for curbside service only. Call 920-840-6333 to order.)
Tom's Drive In Supports St. Joseph Food Program
Oct. 5
Shake, rattle, and roll your way to any of Tom's Drive In's seven Fox Valley locations in Appleton, Little Chute, Menasha, and Neenah on Monday, Oct. 5. All day long, the restaurant will be donating 10% of net sales to support the life-saving work of the St. Joseph Food Program. (And don't forget your pumpkin shake!)
Panera Bread Supports Valley Packaging Industries
Oct. 15
Download this flyer and show a printed or electronic version to your cashier, and a portion of your purchase from Panera Bread (3320 W. College Ave., Appleton) made between 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 will be donated to Valley Packaging Industries (VPI). VPI is a community rehabilitation center that provides human services and vocational training to Fox Valley residents with disabilities or who come from disadvantaged circumstances. You can also participate in this fundraiser by ordering your Panera fix online using code PRFUND.
Cleo's Brown Beam Tavern Supports Compassionate Home Health Care
Oct. 23-30
Get into the holiday spirit any time of year when you visit Cleo's Brown Beam Tavern in Appleton - known for its year-round holiday decor and its year-round holiday spirit with gifts to Compassionate Home Health Care's #HolidayGivingCampaign. During that "other" great Fox Valley holiday season of Octoberfest Reimagined Oct. 23-30, Cleo's is collecting donations of personal care/hygiene or home cleaning supplies that will be used to brighten the holiday season for families in need. Your generous donation will ensure no one has to choose between personal health and celebrating the holidays, and everyone who participates in the drive will receive a free drink ticket to be redeemed at Cleo's.
Shellattes Supports Reach Counseling Center
Oct. 24
If you're fueled by coffee and compassion, you can't miss Octoberfest Reimagined at Shellattes in Neenah. Stop by from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 and the proceeds of your purchase of coffee, sandwiches, soup, and Shelly's signature baked oatmeal will be donated to Reach Counseling Center, also located in downtown Neenah. Reach Counseling provides mental health care and life-healing services for victims of emotional, sexual, and physical abuse.
