KITCHENER – The 50th annual Oktoberfest festival kicks off this Friday, Oct. 5 at Kitchener City Hall, Carl Zehr Square. Opening ceremonies for North America’s largest Bavarian festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by Grillefest. Enjoy traditional Oktoberfest sausage, a cookie and a cold drink for only $5, served to you by city council and staff. All proceeds from Grillefest will be donated to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Non-perishable food items and canned goods are appreciated.
With music, dancing, and countless cultural events, the nine-day festival will run from Oct. 5-13. Visit Kitchener Willkommen Platz, located in Carl Zehr Square, to enjoy daily entertainment, displays and activities, food and beverages, as well as official souvenirs and visitor information.
Kitchener Market will once again be home to Craftoberfest. Take in local art and foods, as well as German and harvest-inspired craft beer and cider on Oct. 5 and 6 from 7 p.m. to midnight. See the upper level of the Market transformed into a vibrant celebration complete with entertainment, dancing, food, and art. Continue to immerse yourself in German culture and cuisine by attending the Kitchener Market’s Cook Like Oma class on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon. Traditional German dancing and music, as well as appearances from some of your favorite Oktoberfest mascots will cap off this free event. Donations of non-perishable food items in support of the Waterloo Region Food Bank are encouraged.
The International Food Court at the Kitchener Market will be open as usual from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 9-13.
The annual Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade is on Monday, Oct. 8. beginning at Weber and Frederick Streets at 8:30 a.m. See the vibrant and creative floats, bands and special entries as they follow Weber Street to Bridgeport Road in Waterloo.
RogersTM Hometown HockeyTM Tour presented by Scotiabank and Dodge will also be taking place in Kitchener this weekend from Oct. 5 to 7. Hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone will be on site for the festivities, which include meet-and-greet opportunities with former Toronto Maple Leafs Darryl Sittler, Nik Antropov and Darcy Tucker, a special performance from legendary Canadian power pop band The Pursuit of Happiness, and a live Sportsnet NHL broadcast.
A number of city facilities will be closed because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
Facility closures
Offices at Kitchener City Hall will be closed on Monday, Oct. 8 for Thanksgiving. Services normally offered by staff will be available again on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 8:30 a.m. The building itself will remain open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. as it does on all holidays and weekends.
KITCHENER MARKET
The Kitchener Market international food court will be closed as usual on Sunday, Oct. 7 and Monday, Oct. 8. The International Food Court will reopen on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 8 a.m.
KITCHENER PUBLIC LIBRARY
All Kitchener Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, Oct. 8. All branches will reopen on Tuesday, Oct. 9 to resume their regular hours.
POOLS
All pool facilities will be closed Sunday, Oct. 7 and Monday, Oct. 8.
COMMUNITY CENTRES
Visit www.kitchener.ca/communitycentres to learn more about centre hours of operation over the holiday weekend. All community centres will be closed on Monday, Oct. 8 for Thanksgiving.
THE AUD and ARENAS
On Monday, Oct. 8, Lions Arena is closed. Don McLaren, Grand River, Sportsworld, The Aud, and Activa Sportsplex are open for rentals.
The Lyle S. Hallman Foundation indoor track at Activa Sportsplex is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Both the administrative office and the Activa Box Office at The Aud will be closed on Monday, Oct. 8, although the facility will remain open for rentals.
BUDD PARK INDOOR FACILITY
Budd Park indoor facility will be closed on Monday.
ROAD CLOSURES
King Street will be closed from Water Street to Frederick Street until Oct. 8, 2018. During this time, cross traffic will only be permitted through the Queen Street intersection within this closure and traffic is fully accessible along Water Street and Frederick Street
City Hall parking can be accessed through the Duke and Young Street entrance.
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For more information:
Marissa LaBianca
Communications and Marketing Associate
City of Kitchener
519-741-2200 x7191
marissa.labianca@kitchener.ca