Do you want Oktoberfest – keep it German?
Look no further than our hockey-loving, igloo-curious friends up north in Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario. These twin Canadian cities, with mostly German roots, are just under two hours’ VIA train ride west from Toronto.
After Munich, KW’s is the world’s second largest “Wiesn” (that’s what trendy Teutons hashtag their week-long party in Tok), attracting around 700,000 hopheads each year. This year will be his 56th round.
The event starts in September. 27 and lasts until October. 17. – a fortnight and a half of Germany with a Canadian twist.
Expect accordion-led polka dancing, beer gardens, food trucks, market vendors, and even a giant, 23-bell computerized Glockenspiel clattering animatronics.
Here, some fun and quirky ways to do it silly party with a stein of Molson and, God willing, a gut full of bratwurst poutine.
Arf Wiedersehn
If you’re one of those totally non-obnoxious people who travels with their dog, hit the Gaukel Block pedestrian artery in Downtown Kitchener where, from October. From 12 to 1 p.m., DOGtoberfest is going down. Professional trainers will (try to) teach them – even the old ones – new tricks. Go free! Your mutt can also join pack walks or enjoy a Sniffscape pop-up experience. Just one rule: No chain, no service.
PS If you’ve packed your two-legged pets, there’s also an October “KIDtoberfest.” From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kitchener City Hall Rotunda, where little munchkins can learn about traditional music, dancing and “other Bavarian activities” (well, the fun ones). Acceptance? Also free.
Goat tag!
Stans of Sean Evens and his YouTube series “Hot Ones” will be in the arsonist sky at KW’s Goat Fest 2024. It’s hot sauce and craft beer, descending on the Concordia Club on Ottawa Street South in September . 28.
Sample the mini lava bottles featured at the show — there will be over 30 options from Canada and beyond — then douse the flames with local brews. Alternatively, enjoy healthier options like food truck tacos and pizza.
Canadian party band The 99s will be joining the madness. It all starts at 11am and, if you haven’t gorged yourself on chili and beer by then, ends at 10pm, with GA starting at around $13.
Thanksgiving Day
Just in case you forgot, Canada has its own Thanksgiving holiday. But it falls on the second Monday in October, which is the 14th this year in the middle of the holiday, and the holiday parade in its honor runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon, going up Weber Street from the corner of on Frederick Street at Bridgeport Street. (Google maps it).
So they put out a bunch of weird giant inflatables that are mostly unrelated to the actual story like we Yanks do? You better believe it!
Deceptive power
Think three weeks of problematic drinking a day is just for men? Well, the organizers of the Damenfest breakfast beg to differ. It is a women’s networking event featuring speakers and local celebrities from the business and arts communities.
Get out your best dirndl and check out Friday, October. 18, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Walper Hotel in Downtown Kitchener. Tickets will go on sale soon.
For more information on any of these events, visit Oktoberfest.ca.
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Image Source : nypost.com