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200 hundred years and counting…There
is no end in sight for this popular folk fest that started as a
wedding celebration. Kitchener Waterloo has taken 2nd
place as the next biggest Oktoberfest in size and popularity in
the world.
As I am writing this Kitchener is in the throes of this huge
nearly citywide event. All the German clubs and various pubs as
well as temporary venues are in full service mode. There is
music everywhere and, of course, beer and lots of food.
University students attend a measure of getting closer to the
community they study in, or so I was told by ex alumni. They
love the atmosphere, the sounds and smells and the camaraderie
that revolves around the Oktoberfest.
We too have been known to partake in the past, but if your
drinking days are over, like mine, you prefer something a bit
more intimate than a big hoopla with a lot of noise. We visited
the local clubs that had their event in September.
| Children,
parents, grand-parents love Oktoberfest |
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The Danube Swabian Oktoberfest took place over 2 days in the
middle of the month. The Euro Connection warmed up the audience
in the early part of the evening with regular type popular music
before they got in to the oohmpapa mode.
Dancing to the
Euro Connection |
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We ordered goulash from
the regular menu instead of the typical Schweinshaxe. The food
was fantastic, the beer was awesome, the mood was tremendous,
especially when the dancers appeared.
| The Danube
Swabian Youth Group - Dance 1 |
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 Three different Danube
Swabian dance groups in various age groups performed. They were
not all there, it is difficult to get everyone together on any
evening, but there were plenty of dancers, enough to fill the
floor and please a large crowd.
| The Danube
Swabian Youth Group - Seniors |
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They whirled and twirled,
including the very dedicated Miss Blue Danube and her partner,
and got even the smallest visitors to be very enthusiastic. It
was quite a sight to watch the accomplished dancers in their
beautiful Trachten.
| The Danube
Swabian Youth Group - Dance 2 |
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This was a 2 day celebration that filled the beautiful hall of
the club to capacity.
During the following week there was an interesting musical event
in the club and you can read about that in Dick Altermann’s
column.
Until next time
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Read our report:
Oktoberfest Hansa Club
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