Galena Photo Walk and Oktoberfest

Posted: October 03, 2015

Katherine and I signed up for Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk and went on a photo walk in Galena, IL. We have been to Galena a few times before (it's only about 30 minutes away from us and has cute shopping and dining). The photo walk started at 9am and went until 11, and then Oktoberfest started at noon. It worked out nice because we didn't have to worry about parking for Oktoberfest since we were there early for the photo walk.

Starting to Feel Like Autumn

Stairs to Prospect St.

Earlier in the year I took a picture of these steps from the top. It's a lot different with everything alive and not in the winter time. But soon enough all the leaves will be off the trees.

Bright Windows

Katherine and I made our way into a church that was having a rummage sale. We went up into the sanctuary and took some photos.

Holy Bible

Pigeons and the Eagle

This statue is on top of the Galena Fire Department building. The building dates back to 1872. The engine house is a little newer, dating to 1940, but this eagle statue is on the older part of the building.

Partial Moon

Cemetery Vines

This fence was around the cemetery for the Grace Episcopal Church in Galena, IL. Just about every church had a cemetery in Galena.

Waiting on the Bench

Old Galena High School

This is the old Galena high school. It has been converted into an apartment complex.

Light the Way

Changing of the Season

Old Brick

There are a lot of brick walkways throughout the town of Galena.

Must be Hot

Found these inside of one of the shops in downtown Galena. There are a lot of unique shops down there including the one that sells these.

Through the Arbor

This arbor has been in Grant Park for a long time. You can tell from the chipped paint and how many dead vines are on this ting. The plant that is growing on it has some kind of bean-live seed growing on it.

President U.S. Grant's Door to the Kitchen

While we were in Galena, Katherine wanted to take a tour of U.S. Grant's house in Galena. The tour was given by an older lady that had everything memorized really well. The tour was busy (since Oktoberfest was starting soon), but it was a really interesting tour that we learned a lot.

Mrs. Grant's 15lb Bible

This is Mrs. Grant's bible. The historian told us that it weighs 15 pounds! That's a heavy bible!

Oktoberfest Music

After the photo walk, Katherine and I went over to the Galena Oktoberfest. We went primarily for the Wiener dog races but sat and enjoyed the music a little bit. This guy was so friendly. I walked up and started taking photos and he just smiled and opened up his accordion for me.

Big Turnout

This was the 9th annual Galena Oktoberfest and there were a ton of people there. It was ridiculous how many people showed up for this event which is 90% drinking. Meanwhile, Katherine and I didn't have anything to drink and we were definitely outcasts.

Racing for Food

These wiener dog races were much better than the races at the Dubuque Oktoberfest. There were over 100 dogs in the costume contest and the races combined. Most of the dogs were racing for a treat or their favorite toy held by someone at the finish line.

Pointed Tail

Floppy Ears

Purple and Yellow Minion and Gru

Jockey Rider

Pretty Peacock

This dog was adorable dressed as a peacock.

Costume Winner

This was the winner of the costume contest.

Well Deserved Treat

This dog was racing for a chicken sandwich. As the owner was walking away with her dog in one hand and the sandwich in the other, the dog snatched up the whole thing.