Large crowds packed Carl Zehr Square for annual Oktoberfest keg tapping
Posted Oct 11, 2024 04:28:42 PM.
Last Updated Oct 11, 2024 04:28:45 PM.
The barrel has officially been rolled out.
Carl Zehr Square was packed in Downtown Kitchener on Friday for the 56th annual keg tapping ceremony for KW Oktoberfest. Olympic boxers Mandy Bujold and Syd Vanderpool were ‘on tap’ to ‘spank the spigot’ this year. The ceremony included live music from The Golden Keys, performances from last year’s winner of “So You Think You Can Tanz” and the annual ‘breaking of the pretzel.’
“We have seen this festival evolve and grow to welcoming people from all across the world and engaging our community in a variety of activities that embody the spirit of Gemütlichkeit,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.
Carl Zehr Square has been transformed to Willkommen Platz, a festival celebration with live music and entertainment during the whole weekend. Admission is also free.
Local dignitaries at the ceremony also highlighted a $200,000 investment from the federal government into KW Oktoberfest. The investment will allow for a new partnership with GO Transit next year called ‘LederGOsen Line’ that will offer two-way weekend service from the GTA to Waterloo Region and for new events, such as a road hockey tournament.
“For Kitchener-Waterloo, Oktoberfest is a chance to celebrate our region’s history and cultural diversity,” said Bryan May, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and to the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and Member of Parliament for Cambridge. “With support from our government’s Tourism Growth Program, the festival is expanding and offering new events that will appeal to all backgrounds and ages, giving a boost to our local economies and small businesses.”
As the Thanksgiving weekend rolls on, the Thanksgiving Day parade will roll out Monday morning.
The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. this year at the corner of Frederick and Weber. Donations will be collected along the route for the local food bank as part of the Onkel Hans Food Drive.
