July 2001 - Nr. 7
Kitchener-Waterloo celebrates 34th Annual Multicultural Festival
by Herwig Wandschneider
Everything
and everyone made this festival a unanimous success. The largest in its
34-year history, the weather, the people, the organizers, the bands,
performers, vendors and dancers were all in top spirits for Saturday and
Sunday June 23 and 24. Not only the children with their painted faces, but
also the adults swayed to the music of Africa, the Caribbean, Europe (East
and West), the Far East and the Americas. Everything from traditional,
ceremonial to belly-dance, to steel drums and dance music performances,
provided by 15 groups from around the world, delighted the spirits.
A total turnout of some 40,000 was expected and it felt at times like they were all there at the same time. Throughout the 12pm – 8pm event each day, but especially come dinner time, the entire area was filled with the aroma of BBQ’d delicacies, and the smoke rising from the grills were attracting a crowd to each of the food stands and to the colourful open tents covering stands and picnic tables throughout the Victoria Park/Clock Tower area. Brick Brewery’s beer tent quenched the thirst of the warm summer days.
In all, 15 food vendors filled the stomachs with delicacies from across the world, and 25 or more craft vendors satisfied the needs of collectors and pavilion shoppers.
The
German Canadian Business and Professional Association (GCBPA) was there to
help satisfy the cravings with Bratwurst (sausages on a bun), Meatloaf, and
chicken, with delightfully refined Potato Salad, Onions, Sauerkraut and
condiments. Ursel Kampmann supplied some of the so necessary infrastructure
like fridges and tables. The Huber family (Piller’s Sausages) kindly
satisfied the constant demand for the famous German Sausages and supplied
the BBQ equipment for efficient and timely preparation throughout the
weekend. Supplies from George Piller (Groß-Klein Investments) in the form
of delectably prepared juicy and tasty chickens (BBQ’d on the grill of
Armin Ohlmann’s of Ventax Robot Inc) were appreciated by the entire team
of 20 volunteers and their customers. Crowds gathered on Sunday to stand in
line for more and more of the deliciously spiced pieces. Chicken Chefs
Guenther Haas and Heinz Nowak had a hard time keeping up with the demand,
while dinner-time waves of hungry festival participants kept the pressure on
the efficient Bratwurst and Meatloaf Grill.
Aside
from food and drink, the German Pavilion was highlighted by the amazing and
always enjoyable Leierkasten (organ-grinder) Music of Klaus Wehrenberg, who
came especially from Aurora to raise the international musical spirit.
Children and Adults alike stopped to admire Klaus’ Music, his Monkeys, his
beard, Lederhosen and upbeat spirit.
The success of the German pavillion was the result of the financial support from GCBP Association Members Eddie Koch (Quadro Engineering), and Werner Bromberg (Bromberg Homes), of the efforts of the energetic organizing committee of course, specifically Ursel Kampmann, Manfred Blum and Guenther Haas, and the hands-on participation by 20 spirited members of the Association’s membership.
Congratulations and a Prosit to Myrta Rivera and her team of the Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre for the successful organizing and execution of the event!
