10 Things to Do at The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Kitchener Canada
The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is an annual nine-day festival held in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest Bavarian-themed festival in North America, and the second-largest Oktoberfest in the world after the one in Munich, Germany. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world come to experience the culture, food, and entertainment of this unique festival. Here are ten things to do at the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.
1. Attend a Parade: The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Parade is held on the Saturday of the festival and is the largest parade of its kind in Canada. The parade features floats, marching bands, and costumed participants. It is a great way to experience the spirit of the festival.
2. Visit a Bier Halle: Bier Halle are the traditional German beer halls that are set up during the festival. Here you can sample a variety of German beers, listen to live music, and enjoy traditional German food such as sausages, sauerkraut, and pretzels.
3. Try a Stein Holding Contest: Stein holding contests are a popular pastime at Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. Contestants must hold a full stein of beer with one arm straight out for as long as possible. The person who can hold it the longest wins the contest.
4. Enjoy a Sausage Eating Contest: Another popular event at the festival is the sausage eating contest. Contestants must eat as many sausages as possible in a set amount of time. The winner is the person who can eat the most sausages.
5. Listen to Live Music: There are many stages set up throughout the festival grounds where you can listen to live music. The music ranges from traditional German folk music to modern rock and pop.
6. Watch a Chicken Dance: The Chicken Dance is a traditional German dance that is performed at many Oktoberfest celebrations. Everyone joins in and it is a lot of fun to watch.
7. Try a Bratwurst Eating Contest: Bratwurst is a traditional German sausage and there is a contest to see who can eat the most in a set amount of time. This is a great way to experience the local cuisine.
8. Taste German Beer: German beer is a must at any Oktoberfest celebration. There are many varieties to sample and you can find something to suit every taste.
9. Take a Brewery Tour: Kitchener-Waterloo is home to many local breweries and there are tours available to learn about the brewing process and sample the different beers.
10. Play Games: There are many traditional German games that are played at the festival. These include Hammerschlagen (hammering nails into a log), Kegel (bowling with wooden pins), and Wurfel (dice throwing).
The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is a great way to experience German culture and have a lot of fun. Whether you are looking to sample some local beer, listen to live music, or take part in some traditional games, there is something for everyone at this unique festival.