Kate's fun things to do this Thanksgiving long weekend
Do you like beer? There’s plenty of it this weekend in and around K-W
Your weekend may be filled with turkey, pie, pumpkin picking and time with family, but hopefully you have time to squeeze in some other fun events during what is one of busiest weekends of the year here in Waterloo region.
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
11 a.m. to midnight, Friday, Oct. 5
7:30 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 6
9:30 a.m. to midnight, Sunday, Oct. 7
8 a.m. to midnight, Monday, Oct. 8
Various locations
If you've felt like you haven't had enough oom-pah-pah in your life lately, well, this will cure what ails you. A few highlights: official keg tapping around noon Friday, family breakfast Saturday morning, and the parade (and food drive) Monday starting at 8:30 a.m. Plus all the events at festhalls and along King Street in downtown Kitchener.
Craftoberfest
7 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Oct. 5
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6
7 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 6
Kitchener Market, 300 King St. E., Kitchener
This annual event celebrates local craft breweries and cideries all under one roof. Live entertainment, fun activities and an extensive list of beers to try — including some brewed specifically for this event. Tickets are limited and may be sold out soon. If you don't get tickets or can't make it, the brewery behind this event, TWB Co-op, is also going to be at the Kitchener Market.
Retroberfest
7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday, Oct. 5
Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener
Lots of music. Lots of beer. Lots of Oktoberfest spirit including George Kash and the Oktoberfest Express rolling some barrels (literally). Bingemans has many other events (including a concert with Smash Mouth next week — sing it: "Hey now, you're an all star, get your game on ..."). We won't get into the messy divorce between Bingemans and K-W Oktoberfest here, because let's be honest, this weekend is just about having some fun.
Erntefest
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 8
Scheider Haus, 466 Queen St. S., Kitchener
Stop by after the parade for some German Zwiebelkuchen (Onion Cake) and Pflaumenkuchen (Plum Cake) freshly baked in our historic wood oven.
New Hamburg Oktoberfest
6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 6
Royal Canadian Legion, 65 Boullee St., New Hamburg
German food, beer and spirits and dance your schnitzel off with DJ Habermehl.
OK, so, that's a lot of German culture and beer and let's be honest, Oktoberfest isn't for everyone. So here are a few extra ideas for your weekend.
Guelph Makers Pop-up Shop
6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5
10C Shared Space, 42 Carden St., Guelph
More than 20 local artisans will have their handmade items on display for this event. Admission is a donation at the door, which goes to The Seed.
Indefest
4 p.m. start, Sunday, Oct. 7
Rim Park, 2001 University Avenue, Waterloo
Celebrate Nigerian Independence Day. There's music, food and dancing along with a chance to meet people in the region. Tickets are necessary to get in. The event is hosted by the group Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo.
Kitchener Rangers vs. Sudbury Wolves
4 p.m. puck drops, Sunday, Sept. 7
The Aud, 400 East Ave., Kitchener
Spend some time watching hockey this long weekend and cheering on the Rangers as they face-off against the Wolves. Can't make it Sunday? They take on Saginaw Spirit Friday night at The Aud at 7:30 p.m., too.
Woolly Bear Weekends
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 8
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, 2500 Kossuth Rd., Cambridge
You may spot more Woolly bear caterpillars in the fall, and during the month of October, you can learn more about them, like why they have those stripes and how they survive the winter.
Fall Fairs
There are a few fall fairs a short drive from our area:
Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, on until Monday.
Erin Fall Fair, on until Monday.
Tiverton Fall Fair, on until Sunday.
Burford Fall Fair, on until Monday.
Rockton World's Fair, on until Monday.