Ein prosit! K-W Oktoberfest keg tapping returns to downtown Kitchener

A chilly Fridayafternoon didn't keep hundreds of people from attending the K-W Oktoberfest keg tapping at the newly renovatedCarl ZehrSquare in downtown Kitchener.

Allan Cayanne, president of K-W Oktoberfest tapped this year's keg alongsideRon Gagnon, president and CEO ofGrand River Hospital. This year's keg tap was in honour of the region's healthcare workers.

This year marks 54 years of the Bavarian festival.Celebrations kicked off at noon with a land acknowledgementfrom University of Waterloo's Indigenous Knowledge KeeperMyeengun Henry.

Regional Chair Karen Redman,mayors from Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge as well asWaterloo MP Bardish Chagger took part in the ceremony.

Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for southern Ontario was also part of Friday's keg tap and announced a $1 million tourism fund to help Oktoberfest expand.

For the past two years, the keg tapping has taken place at the Region of Waterloo International Airport and large crowds were not permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions.

But this year, people gathered at a beer tent and stage in front of Kitchener's city hall for the ceremony and music. King Street in downtown Kitchener has been shut down between city hall and Queen Street and vendors and food trucks are set up in the area, dubbed Willkommen Platz. The area will be open until Sunday at 6 p.m.

On Monday, the Thanksgiving Day parade returns. It will start at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Weber Street E. and Frederick Street in Kitchener, then travel along Weber Street to Bridgeport Plaza in Waterloo.

Oktoberfest celebrations continue at various festhalls in Waterloo region until Oct.15.