Kitchener hosts 1st Annual Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival

Celebrate the end of summer with free pickleball fun for all ages in Downtown Kitchener! The City of Kitchener will host its first annual Downtown Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival, in partnership with Pickleball of Waterloo Wellington Region, on Tuesday, August 27 from 2 to 8 p.m.

Pickleball is a hybrid paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, and is experiencing a rapid rise in popularity across Canada, reaching over one million Canadians (Pickleball Canada, 2023). The City of Kitchener has also seen significant growth and interest in the sport in recent years at community centres and outdoor courts.

Carl Zehr Square in front of city hall will transform into a professional pickleball court and additional courts will be set up on King Street for community drop-in play. This end-of-summer event is sure to be a ‘smash’, with activities for everyone, including tips from the pros, pickleball vendors, live music, Four Fathers Brewing beer garden, food trucks, contests and more!

With nearly 40 teams registered in three divisions of play – business, community and elite/pro - this free community festival will celebrate all levels of pickleball skill and interest, ranging from the curious to competitive. Spectators are welcome and encouraged.

• 2 to 3 p.m. – Battle of the Downtown Kitchener businesses
• 3 to 6 p.m. – Community open play
• 6 to 8 p.m. – Elite and Pro

For those looking to try their hand at the sport, there will be courts set up on King Street for drop-in play, as available. Play time may be limited.

For more information, visit www.Kitchener.ca/pickleball.

For more information, contact:
Bethany Rowland 
Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing 
City of Kitchener 
bethany.rowland@kitchener.ca