K-W Oktoberfest would welcome Bingemans back 'with open arms'

If Bingemans wanted to come back to Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest officially next year, the family-owned company would be welcomed "with open arms," the festival's acting executive director says.

Bingemans announced in March they were breaking ties with the festival and striking out on their own. The company will still do Oktoberfest events, but they are not an official sponsor of the festival and as such, they cannot use any of the festival branding.

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"We're hoping that they're going to see after this year that maybe they should be coming back for our 50th anniversary next year," Alfred Lowrick told CBC KW's The Morning Edition host Craig Norris Wednesday as he provided a preview of what to expect during the 49th year of celebrations.

"We certainly would welcome them with open arms," he said, adding they two groups would just need to "clarify" some things first.

New venue in Lot 42

The loss of Bingemans as an official sponsor means one less fest hall, but the festival was able to secure another location for events like the Miss Oktoberfest gala, the Blooming Affair fashion show and the Women of the Year awards ceremony.

Lot 42 has more than met their needs, Lowrick said, praising the former industrial steel fabrication factory-turned-event space.

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Lot 42 is also sponsoring a concert series on the stage in downtown Kitchener Friday, after the keg tapping, and Saturday. That stage is also moving to King Street and a beer garden will go in Carl Zehr Square in front of Kitchener City Hall.

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"What it does is open up King Street so people can have a better view, particularly of the concert series," Lowrick said of the movingof the stage.

Stage, parade route moved

Oktoberfest Rocks, the free concert series, will feature both the Bavarian music expected at Oktoberfest, as well as music from groups like Dwayne Gretzky, Monowhales and Toronto duo Darcys.

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There will also be a carnival sponsored by the downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area, with bouncy castles and other inflatables.

Lowrick also highlighted a change in the parade route for this year. It will be fully on Weber Street, stretching from Frederick Street in Kitchener to Bridgeport Road in Waterloo.

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He called the straight run rather than going on King Street, turning onto Victoria Street, then turning again onto Weber Street as was the case last year a "better, cleaner approach to the parade."

The festival officially kicks off Friday with the keg tapping scheduled for 12:15 p.m. The official keg tapper has yet to be announced.