Bike Night kicks off 4-day Oktoberfest in Manteno

From song and dance to Harleys, llamas, lizards and a former Chicago Bear, the Manteno Chamber of Commerce's 16th annual Oktoberfest Celebration will offer a wide range of entertainment, starting Thursday.

The four-day run kicks off with Bike Night on the village's main street and the debut of the Righteous Hillbillies band. And getting those two groups in place should settle the nerves of first-time event coordinator, chamber director Staci Wilken.

"I just came on in April, so there's a lot to learn," she said. "And all I can say so far is that this looks like a great year ... and I owe so much to all of our wonderful volunteers."

Those llamas, lizards and some other unlikely animals will be on display Friday, when the annual pet parade steps off at 6 p.m. The night's entertainment continues with the Showcase of Bands, starting at 7.

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Cundiff in for kicks with Jets

The Jets added some competition for Nick Folk, signing veteran kicker Billy Cundiff on Tuesday. Cundiff agreed to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum, according to a source.

The Jets released kicker Brett Maher, who wouldn’t have posed a serious threat to Folk, to make room for Cundiff.

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Cundiff, a nine-year veteran, is perhaps best known for a 32-yard missed field goal in the 2011 AFC Championship Game as a Raven that sealed a Super Bowl berth for the Patriots. Cundiff has kicked for the Cowboys, Saints (though it was only one attempt), Browns, Ravens and Redskins. In Washington last season, Cundiff struggled, making just 58.3% of his field-goal attempts before the Redskins cut him in October.

Folk has been consistent in his three years with the Jets, hitting 77%, 76% and 78% of his field goal tries. He kicked four field goals from 50 yards or greater last season.

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The Jets also added long snapper Pat Scales and tackle Jeffrey Shugarts on Tuesday. In corresponding moves, they released wide receiver Thomas Mayo and tackle Mark Popek.

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