The Oktoberfest keg has been tapped
The sounds, sights and smells of Oktoberfest were spread across downtown Kitchener Friday morning as the official Oktoberfest keg tapping was underway.
On Friday at noon, the official keg tapping for this year’s 54th annual Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest was held as crowds were welcomed back.
“The 54th celebration of Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo is here and we’re so excited to be bringing the spirit of Gemütlichkeit back to the community,” said Allan Cayenne, president of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest in a media release. “There are so many new ways to experience the festival this year, it’s going to be great to see the community back together again!”
K-W Oktoberfest officials say this day has been a long time coming and are happy to have locals and visitors gather and watch the beer flow.
Kitchener resident Gordon Thomas said he feels excited to be back at Oktoberfest again after so long.
Another Kitchener resident, Bridget Lewis said: “we have such a rich German heritage here in Kitchener that we should be out celebrating whether you’re German or not.”
Hundreds of locals and visitors from all over were in Kitchener to participate in the festivities.
Downtown Kitchener was filled with not only familiar sights of Oktoberfest.
“It lifts my heart when I hear Oktoberfest and when I hear that music when they’re singing, it’s delightful,” said Cecilia Piller, Kitchener resident.
CTV News spoke to a couple who travelled from Missouri who drove 14 hours for the festivities and said they’re happy to be back and celebrating Oktoberfest like they did years before.
“Wander around and see the people and enjoy the crowd and event, looking forward to the keg tap and the music and the dancing and just a really fun event,” said Ray and Marilyn Heidbrink, from Missouri.
Others travelled for a taste of Bavarian food.
“I got an Oktoberfest sausage with sauerkraut and it tastes wonderful, it’s great,” said Waterloo region resident Bridget Lewis.
The celebrations didn’t stop there, the Schwaben Club hosted an Oktoberfest buffet and then will open up the hall and their Biergarten for more festivities.
“Our band will be here after that, the bars are fully flowing and people are dancing and having a good time,” said Tracey Hanke, vice-president of the Schwaben Club in Kitchener.
Though they recently downsized from their Kitchener location to Breslau, they said their celebrations would be just as significant.
“It is nice to be back in person to see people to dance, to enjoy the camaraderie with everyone,” said Hanke.
Another Oktoberfest tradition, the Thanksgiving parade is set for Oct. 10 beginning at 8 a.m.
CTV Kitchener will air the parade at noon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.