February 2002 - Nr. 2
New Year’s Eve in Kitchener
by Herwig Wandschneider
It seems already long in the past, more than a month ago now. Yet a note on Kitchener’s New Year’s Eve celebration is still in order. You see, Kitchener–Waterloo is active well beyond Oktoberfest, Farmers Market, Parades, numerous club activities and Multicutural Festivals. There is something going on here all the time.
![Swinging to the "Class of '59" at Bingeman [Photo: Herwig Wandschneider]](202c-Herwig-NY02.jpg)
New
Year’s Eve is no exception. There was the bash with the Class of ‘59 Band at
Bingeman’s, sponsored by Multicultural FM98.5, and of course the Restaurants
and Clubs were filled with people working on forgetting 2001, its tragic
events and financial nightmares, and welcoming 2002 with hopes, dreams and
ambitions. Places that did not have live bands had disc jockeys. There were
quiet places, more aggressive spirited new and hot music places and surely
many I missed.
![Moving to the rhythm of "Glider" at Civic Square [Photo: Herwig Wandschneider]](202c-Herwig-NY01.jpg)
And
then there were the 9th Annual Family-style New Year’s Eve
celebrations for the citizens of Kitchener. Mayor Carl Zehr and City Council
made City Hall facilities available, for lots of fun and jubilations. City
of Kitchener’s Media Partners were Radio Station CHYM96.7, CKCO-TV, and The
Record.
First off, it was chilly this year. In previous years activities were held in Victoria Park, this year for the first time activities were all on Civic Square and King Street, which was closed for the event. Carefully monitored "camp-fires" were maintained on King Street on either side of the Skating Rink. People were milling about the fires keeping hands and feet warm. People were engaged with various activities such as Skill Games set up in stands and shelters against the cold on King Street and in front of Williams Pub. Missing perhaps were some good hot drinks like really Hot Chocolate and Gluehwein ……
Nonetheless, the setup on and around King Street set the stage for a special atmosphere and spirit immediately upon arrival. Then there was of course the music with Junkyard John, DJ Joey and the 3-man "Glider" Band, with people skating right into the New Year. High level screens were setup for movie projection and a program put together that included indoor fun in the Rotunda and an outdoor countdown for 10pm for the little ones. The evening continued with fiery live music by the "Gliders" for the crowd and a countdown to midnight by Adele Newton of CHYM with all-round cheers into the New Year. Midnight culminated in fireworks from the roof of City Hall to an enthusiastic crowd, happy that 2001 was done with.
Having celebrated both in Victoria Park and now in Civic Square, City Council now has to decide, where next year’s celebrations will be. It is all a matter of budgets.
