Oi! Oi! Oi!: Oktoberfest taps the first keg of 2021
Waterloo Region’s big Bavarian festival officially kicked off on Friday.
Oktoberfest 2021 began with the opening ceremony at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.
Tapping the first keg marked the start of the 17-day festival.
A full schedule of events can be found here.
The event this year will be a little different from the traditional Oktoberfest.
Instead of large tents or gatherings, smaller Oktoberfest events will be held at various locations across Waterloo Region. Local restaurants will act as Micro-Festhallen, and this year organizers have launched a new atttraction – the WunderWagen. It’s a mobile Bavarian-themed concert, travelling to differenet locations across Waterloo Region.
"It's travelling around and a number of bands and local talent will be performing on the travelling stage," said Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest president Tim Beckett.
There will also be a virtual event on Oct. 9 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
One of the most aniticpated events of the festival is the Oktoberfest Thansgiving Day Parade.
Like last year the parade has been transformed into a one-hour TV special you can watch on CTV News Kitchener on Oct. 11 at noon. It will feature parade favourites – from floats to bands to special guests, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make it wunderbar!
The festival is also continuing its Onkel Hans Food Drive, but since there is no in-person parade this year, they’re asking the community to contribute directly to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
Oktoberfest wraps up on Oct. 11.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.