Annual K-W Oktoberfest begins with official keg tapping

Ziggy zaggy, ziggy zaggy, Oi oi oi!

The 55th annual K-W Oktoberfest has officially begun, as Friday afternoon marked the start of festivities with the official keg-tapping event.

The spigot was spanked on Schneiders Stage over the noon hour Willkommen Platz Biergarten on Gaukel Street’s “Gaukel Block.”

The taps were delivered by K-W Oktoberfest President, Allan Cayenne – with very little beer going to waste!

The event featured a number of local dignitaries, Onkel Hans and Tante Frieda, musical accompaniment by the Golden Keys – as well as an enthusiastic crowd donned in dirndl and lederhosen.

“Every year we see people getting into the Oktoberfest spirit, and events being organized,” said Kitchener Mayor, Berry Vrbanovic.

“There is something for everyone, young and old, to enjoy as part of this year’s celebrations.”

The spirit of gemütlichkeit continues to pour out across the region, with a full slate of ‘festing events still to come throughout the month of October.

A family favourite – the Thanksgiving Day Parade – will bring its floats, inflatables and bands through Kitchener and Waterloo on Monday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Weber Street East and Frederick Street.

The beginning of the Thanksgiving Parade will also include a collection of both monetary donations and non-perishable food items with the Onkel Hans Food Drive.

Those funds and donations will go to support the Food Bank of Waterloo Region – while online donations can also be made through the organization’s website.

You can find a full list of the Bavarian Festival’s offerings as well as tickets to your local Festhallen venues here.