Tomatoville® Gardening Forums - View Single Post - Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest 2009

Zana · September 21, 2009

Ok more than a tad off topic of tomatoes....but I know there are more than a few members of Tomatoville that enjoy a good party....even on a large scale. LOL

So once again I'm putting the offer out there to anybody interested in attending the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA. Our Oktoberfest is second only to the original in Munchen/Munich in size! More than 750,000 people will visit the different events and venues here in town during the 9 days of the Bavarian Festival.

Why is there an Oktoberfest here in Kitchener - Waterloo? A bit of a history lesson is in order to explain. Kitchener prior to 1916 was known as Berlin. It was changed in 1916 during WWII to Kitchener (after Lord Kitchener, a British General) in order to show a more patriotic support of the war. Most of Waterloo County was settled mostly by German speaking immigrants - both Amish Mennonites and German immigrants since the early 1800's. When I moved here in 1961, the Twin Cities of Kitchener-Waterloo (yes, we are like Minneapolis-St. Paul - Twin Cities) was still about 60% German - direct immigrant, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or more generation German. Until the 1950's if you wanted a job in banks, retail or offices you had to be bi-lingual in German and English in Kitchener.

There are allot of cultural and family events going on....not just "partying". LOL. Check out ww.oktoberfest.ca for more information.

It starts with the official Keg Tapping Ceremony at the Kitchener City Hall Square about 11am on Friday, October 9th and finishes when they put seal the Keg back up on Sunday, October 18th. The Kiwanis Club of which I am a member runs the second largest Festhalle (think huge beer tent - except its inside in an Olympic size hockey arena) - just a "wee party"....we're only licensed for 2300 people! We have over 30 charitable groups helping us out to staff our Festhalle. We are unique among the Festhallen, in that all our staff are volunteers.

All proceeds go back into supporting those groups and far more projects within our community and beyond....including a large Kiwanis project, partnering with UNICEF to help with Children with HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean (the second worst hit area in the world, after Africa). Last year we were able to contribute $10,000 to the project and hope to do similarly this year.

The first weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend and Columbus Day Weekend in the States. We can also arrange packages of hotel and Festhalle tickets for groups if anybody desires.

I think Remy and some of the tomato cohorts in partying from the Buffalo-Niagara-Western-New-York Tomato Tastefest were going to try to be there. And I believe even Mischka mentioned in the past that he has a fondness for beer and might want to sample a few brews....lol. So PM if you are interested.

BTW....most likely I'll be working the front door par usual, dressed in my fuschia dirndl! (Think "Heidi" costume for those not familiar with German style ethnic wear/ Tracht.) However, I'm trying to finish up some new ones before we open....but if you do show up ask for me at the front door. Even if I'm not there at that moment, they can page me on the walkie-talkies, as I'll be somewhere in the Festhalle (As Vice-Chair, I take up residence in the building for about 2 weeks it seems. I'm home only to grab a nap and check email.)

Ein Proesit!

September 21, 2009	#1
Zana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,521	Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest 2009 Ok more than a tad off topic of tomatoes....but I know there are more than a few members of Tomatoville that enjoy a good party....even on a large scale. LOL So once again I'm putting the offer out there to anybody interested in attending the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA. Our Oktoberfest is second only to the original in Munchen/Munich in size! More than 750,000 people will visit the different events and venues here in town during the 9 days of the Bavarian Festival. Why is there an Oktoberfest here in Kitchener - Waterloo? A bit of a history lesson is in order to explain. Kitchener prior to 1916 was known as Berlin. It was changed in 1916 during WWII to Kitchener (after Lord Kitchener, a British General) in order to show a more patriotic support of the war. Most of Waterloo County was settled mostly by German speaking immigrants - both Amish Mennonites and German immigrants since the early 1800's. When I moved here in 1961, the Twin Cities of Kitchener-Waterloo (yes, we are like Minneapolis-St. Paul - Twin Cities) was still about 60% German - direct immigrant, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or more generation German. Until the 1950's if you wanted a job in banks, retail or offices you had to be bi-lingual in German and English in Kitchener. There are allot of cultural and family events going on....not just "partying". LOL. Check out ww.oktoberfest.ca for more information. It starts with the official Keg Tapping Ceremony at the Kitchener City Hall Square about 11am on Friday, October 9th and finishes when they put seal the Keg back up on Sunday, October 18th. The Kiwanis Club of which I am a member runs the second largest Festhalle (think huge beer tent - except its inside in an Olympic size hockey arena) - just a "wee party"....we're only licensed for 2300 people! We have over 30 charitable groups helping us out to staff our Festhalle. We are unique among the Festhallen, in that all our staff are volunteers. All proceeds go back into supporting those groups and far more projects within our community and beyond....including a large Kiwanis project, partnering with UNICEF to help with Children with HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean (the second worst hit area in the world, after Africa). Last year we were able to contribute $10,000 to the project and hope to do similarly this year. The first weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend and Columbus Day Weekend in the States. We can also arrange packages of hotel and Festhalle tickets for groups if anybody desires. I think Remy and some of the tomato cohorts in partying from the Buffalo-Niagara-Western-New-York Tomato Tastefest were going to try to be there. And I believe even Mischka mentioned in the past that he has a fondness for beer and might want to sample a few brews....lol. So PM if you are interested. BTW....most likely I'll be working the front door par usual, dressed in my fuschia dirndl! (Think "Heidi" costume for those not familiar with German style ethnic wear/ Tracht.) However, I'm trying to finish up some new ones before we open....but if you do show up ask for me at the front door. Even if I'm not there at that moment, they can page me on the walkie-talkies, as I'll be somewhere in the Festhalle (As Vice-Chair, I take up residence in the building for about 2 weeks it seems. I'm home only to grab a nap and check email.) Ein Proesit!