Polka legend Walter Ostanek will kick off the K-W Oktoberfest by tapping the keg this Friday. The German Ambassador to Canada, Matthais Luttenberg, will join him for the ceremony. Ostanek, aged 91, has announced that this year’s Oktoberfest will be his final appearance as he plans to retire.
Renowned for his accordion skills, Ostanek boasts 21 Grammy nominations and has clinched the award three times for his polka music. Tracy Van Kalsbeek, the festival’s executive director, described Ostanek as a pivotal figure in K-W Oktoberfest history, having entertained audiences since the 1960s.
The official launch of the weekend festivities is marked by the keg tapping event on Friday, despite earlier Oktoberfest happenings. King Street, near Kitchener’s city hall, has been transformed into Willkommen Platz, featuring a beer garden, food trucks, vendors, and a performance stage hosting free concerts by musicians like Ostanek.
The keg tapping ceremony is scheduled to commence at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, with local officials offering greetings before Ostanek and Luttenberg perform the traditional keg tap. The biergarten will remain open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and until 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Notable acts over the weekend include Bran Van 3000 and Bif Naked on Friday night, The Bulletproof Bros. Band and Lee Aaron on Saturday, and country artist Robyn Ottolini on Sunday. Additional free events in downtown Kitchener include Dogtoberfest and KIDtoberfest, catering to various interests and age groups.
The K-W Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day parade, featuring musician Sharon Hampson as grand parade marshal, is set for Monday. The parade route begins at Weber Street E. and Frederick Street in Kitchener, proceeding north to Waterloo’s Bridgeport Road. Road closures will be in effect to facilitate the parade’s smooth progression.