“Overall, it was an experience that will remain in our memory every October when we see the Oktoberfest sign”

- Unknown

This past Saturday, September 21, the City of Darien and the Darien Lions Club held our Second Annual Darien Oktoberfest. Planning for this event began back in January, and attention was given to providing an environment that while containing many of the traditional elements of an Oktoberfest celebration, would also incorporate local charm and community spirit, creating what we believed to be a unique experience for Darien residents and visitors.

The event took place in Westwood Park, which is a wonderful setting for events such as our community concerts and Darien Fest. The park’s layout provided us with an opportunity to provide a larger venue than last year, thus enabling visitors a larger gathering and dining area, space for games and activities, ease of parking and a more expansive food and beverage selection. Culinary delights were a central feature of our Darien Oktoberfest, attendees savored classic German dishes like Bratwurst, Bavarian pretzels, Schnitzel, along with more traditional offerings such as hot dogs and potato chips. To complement these food choices, there was a wide selection of beers that served to enhance the festive atmosphere. Lively music, offering both traditional Bavarian, tunes by the “Happy Wanderers” and the music of “Hoodwinked,” had people up dancing and enjoying the festive spirit.

In essence, Oktoberfest here in Darien was more than just a food and beer festival; it was a joyful celebration of community and culture, providing for many unforgettable moments. Whether enjoying our delicious cuisine, dancing to lively music, or connecting with neighbors, Darien’s Oktoberfest, embodied the spirit of fun and togetherness that defines the heart of our Darien community.

Scroll to the bottom to view Community Events

Text Alert System

We are continuing to have issues with the text alerting system we use at the police department to notify the public of an emergency / urgent information. To date our vendor has not been able to correct the message being sent multiple times. We continue to work with the company to try to rectify the situation. We appreciate your patience. 

Ask the Mayor

Do you have a question about City services? Want to better understand a City Council decision? Heard a rumor around town? Send your questions right to Mayor Joseph Marchese!

The City and Mayor Marchese are excited to reinstate "Ask the Mayor" series, which will increase transparency and provide residents with facts to raise understanding and awareness about important issues in our City. We will compile resident questions and share insights every few weeks.

Please send your questions to communications@darienil.gov and stay tuned for answers in the coming weeks! We appreciate and welcome your feedback.

Voter Registration

Are you registered to vote in the upcoming General Election on November 5? If you aren't sure, you can find out on the DuPage County website! You can also find your polling place, vote-by-mail status, and sample ballots when you check your status. If you are registered and would like to Vote-by-Mail, sign up here.

Interested in working at the polls? Apply to be an Election Judge here.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15 - Oct. 15

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to appreciate the community’s history, heritage, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South- and Central America. Please join us in recognizing the integral roles of these communities in American history. Learn more.

Electronic Waste Home Collection 

LRS is offering a free Electronic Waste Home Collection on your regular service day the week of October 7 - 11.

• Submit a request online by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3 by clicking here or contacting LRS directly:
• LRSrecycles.com/Darien
• Email: Service@LRSrecycles.com
• Phone: 844.Need.LRS 
• Electronics must be curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your regular service day
• Limit of seven items per request
• Maximum of two TVs or monitors (TVs not exceeding 60 inches or 100 pounds) 
• See below for a list of accepted items.

Coffee with a Cop - October 2

The Darien Police Department will be hosting Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday, Oct 2 at the McDonald’s at 809 Plainfield Rd. in Darien from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 

Fire Prevention Week Open House - October 5

The Darien-Woodridge and Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection Districts are hosting a 2024 Fire Prevention Week Open House on Saturday, October 5. Stop by Station 89 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to see a firefighter fashion show, try out the children's slide pole, see a K9 demonstration and more! View Flyer

2025 Consolidated Election Packets Now Available

Packets for the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election are available at City Hall beginning Tuesday, August 20, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, for the elected positions of Alderman Ward 1, Alderman Ward 3, Alderman Ward 5, and Alderman Ward 7. Learn more here. 

Darien Park District - Children's Book Swap

The Park District is having a Children's Book Swap where you drop off your new/gently used books and then have the opportunity to replace them with books that are new to your family! Parents can drop off gently used books September 29, through October 8, and receive a ticket with the number of books you drop off.

On Wednesday, October 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., bring your ticket to the Book Swap and pick out the number of books you have on your ticket. Books can be toddler thru 3rd Grade Reading Level and need to be either new or in gently used condition in order to receive a ticket. Learn more here.

National Preparedness Month

Recovery from any type of disaster takes time. Do not return home until it is safe, and be sure to check outside your home first for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.

You can register for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov. You will need the following information to do this:

• Social Security number
• Address of the location where the damage occurred (pre-disaster address)
• Current address
• Current telephone number
• Insurance information
• Total household annual income
• Routing and account number of your checking or savings account (this allows FEMA to directly transfer disaster assistance funds into your bank account)
• A description of your disaster-caused damage and losses

You can also register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)/1-800-462-7585 (TTY) or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find a DRC near you, use FEMA's online locator.

The City is Hiring

The City of Darien Police Department is accepting applications for a Part-time Community Service Officer (CSO).

This is a 25 hour per week position with paid holidays and up to 40 hours of paid vacation per year. Starting pay is $19.21 per hour. Top Pay Range for this position is $23.58 per hour. Uniforms and equipment are provided. The candidate has to be able to work Monday – Friday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excludes holidays). Schedule may vary during training and special City events.

Learn more and apply here.

211 DuPage - Clothing, Personal, and Household Items

If you are in need of Clothing, Personal Items, or Household Items, 211 can help connect you to resources!

Get connected to services by calling 211 or visiting 211dupage.gov.

Planning and Zoning Meeting - Oct 2

The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road.

The agenda will be posted here.

Darien Youth Club Basketball is OPEN for 2024/25: link

Volleyball Registration is OPEN for 2024/25 (view flyer): link

Darien Woman’s Club Fall Member Registration is now OPEN: link

Shred It! - September 28: link

Angela's Fall Fest - September 28 - 29: link

Fire Prevention Week Open House - October 5: link

Casino Night - October 18: link