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Willkommen
Every year, since 1969, the region of Kitchener-Waterloo hosts the largest Bavarian festival -- Oktoberfest -- outside of Germany. The region is home to one of the largest German populations in Canada and makes a perfect location for such a celebration. About a one hour drive west of Toronto, Oktoberfest is a 2 weekend festival of German/Bavarian tradition and culture including of course lots of fine schnitzel and beer, not to mention traditional dancers and enough polka (oom-pah-pah) music that will keep festivities going all day/night.
Oktoberfest is known to bring people together to celebrate good fun and friendship. The festival starts off with the traditional Tapping of the Keg on the first Friday and continues over two weekends with various activities throughout the region's 15 festhallen. Each festhallen has its own unique flair and atmosphere either catering to the college/university crowd or to those wanting a more traditional atmosphere. Every festhallen of course will be offering plenty of frosty beer, schnapps and drinks as well as all the delicious food and music one can handle.
Aside from the drinking and eating activities, Oktoberfest also offers various other activities which in the past have included the Miss Oktoberfest ball, the Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Parade, a free pancake breakfast, games such as the Great Barrel Race, Hans Haus Castle, car shows, fashion shows and sports and music competitions. And speaking of music, no Oktoberfest would be complete without the three-time Grammy winning, King of Polka -- Walter Ostenak, himself, making an appearance.
