Preparations are well underway for K-W’s 47th Oktoberfest, which kicks off on October 9, 2015.
At a gala ball Friday night Holly Pearson was crowned the 2015 Miss Oktoberfest.
“The search for Miss Oktoberfest identifies someone who can represent our community and our festival, as one of its lead ambassadors at more than 150 appearances throughout the year,” said Dave MacNeil, executive director of K-W Oktoberfest.
“It was a difficult decision, but through the selection process, our judges determined that Holly would best serve our festival and our community,” MacNeil said.
“There are quite a few changes for the festival, and I’m excited about them,” said Alred Lowrick, president of K-W Oktoberfest.
A major change is the Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day parade route. Due to LRT construction, the parade will start at King Street and Cedar Street in Kitchener, turn on Victoria Street, and then head up Weber Street ending at Bridgeport Road.
A new event, Hometown Hockey will be at Kitchener City Hall on October 10 and 11.
“It’s going to take up all of downtown Kitchener… lots of displays, exhibits, all kinds of things to do and see,” Lowrick added.
Some of those things to see include the Stanley Cup and a concert from the Barenaked Ladies.
OktoberFEAST, which pairs a variety of food trucks and live entertainment is moving to a new location.
“Food trucks are going to be taking up from where Hometown Hockey ends to Benton,” Lowrick said.
There are also two new festhallen; UBER Haus at Maxwell’s Concert & Events in Waterloo, and for the first time London will have a festhallen, Das Bierhaus at the Western Fair District Agriplex.
Oktoberfest activities run until October 17.
