KW Oktoberfest ‘taps’ into festivities with 57th annual keg tapping

By Justin Koehler and Matt Hutcheson

The barrel has been rolled out, the 57th annual keg tapping is done, and KW Oktoberfest is officially underway.

Carl Zehr Square was packed to see Canadian artist and former frontman of the Barenaked Ladies, Steven Page, and KW Oktoberfest Board President, Chef D, ‘spank the spigot.’

Aside from the keg tapping, today’s ceremony also featured a unique honour for a household name here in the Region. Three-time Grammy winner Walter Ostanek was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing his outstanding contributions to music and Waterloo Region. He was presented the award by MPP Mike Harris Jr.

The gathered crowd also took a moment to celebrate The Polka King’s 90th by singing Happy Birthday. He reached the milestone back on April 20th.

Carl Zehr Square has been transformed into the Wilkommen Platz Biergarten, hosting plenty of Oktoberfest events throughout the course of the weekend.

Full details about all the KW Oktoberfest activities coming up this weekend and beyond can be found on the festival’s website.

(Justine Fraser/CityNews Kitchener)

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