Kate's 5 fun things to do in Waterloo region and area: 1st weekend of 2024 edition
Enjoy some winter stargazing or take part in a new year's levee
It's the first weekend of a new year and if your resolution was to get out of the house and attend more events in the community, then this column is for you.
Weather-wise, it will be on the colder side, which is expected in January.
The K-W Titans basketball team is in London Saturday night then home at the Kitchener Aud, hosting the Pontiac Pharaohs, Sunday afternoon.
The Kitchener Rangers are on the road this weekend, but the Guelph Storm will play host to the Soo Greyhounds on Friday night and the Sarnia Sting Sunday afternoon (with a trip to Owen Sound to take on the Attack on Saturday).
If you need to drive to get around, here are some local prices:
Steps To The Sun
Saturday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
44 Gaukel St., Kitchener
This event will celebrate newcomers to this area who have been supported by Levant Canada, a local non-profit organization. There will be an art exhibition, musical performances and interactive activities.
Organizers say the event is to celebrate the "integration of individuals with special needs into the Canadian cultural mosaic, enabling them to produce meaningful art and music."
Stargazing with Ex-Park
Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Exhibition Park, Guelph
Hopefully the clouds stay away so everyone can spend the evening gazing at the stars with the Exhibition Park Neighbourhood Group and Ten Telescopes. There will be telescopes on hand for people to use and BYOM (bring your own mug) for hot cocoa.
Family Sunday
Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery
This free event highlights the work of FASTWÜRMS while also offering hands-on activities like making hourglass keychains.
The gallery says three activities during the event will hint at themes for upcoming exhibitions, "including experimenting with crystallization, creating a sensory device, and a brand-new activity that will surely be a 'rocking' good time."
Music Bingo: The 90s
Friday 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Rural Roots, 21B Industrial Dr., Elmira
Bundle up (as this event is held on the brewery's covered patio) and prepare for an evening of bingo with tunes from Natalie Imbruglia to Nirvana, Missy Elliott to Beastie Boys, Britney Spears to Dr. Dre — basically, be prepared to hear from any musician from the 1990s.
Cover is by donation. Reservations are encouraged.
New Year's Levee: Kitchener and North Dumfries
Both events run Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Kitchener's city hall and North Dumfries Community Complex
A levee is a chance to meet the mayor and city councillors while also enjoying family fun.
In Kitchener, there will be inflatable carnival games, a photo booth, performances by a magician, Juneyt Yetkiner and Erick Traplin, a craft table and outdoor skating.
In North Dumfries, there's free skating until 3 p.m. then a reception with council and local community groups in MacNeil Hall.
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