Celebrating German Culture and Heritage in Waterloo Region

News Release

Government of Canada supports Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest

September 4, 2014 – Kitchener, Ontario – Canadian Heritage

Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament (Kitchener Centre), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced $87,200 in funding for the Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest.

The Government of Canada is providing this funding for the 46^th edition of the festival under the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program.

Quick Facts

The 2014 Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest will take place from October 10 to 18 in Kitchener, Ontario, and will celebrate the culture and heritage of the area’s German community.
This funding will contribute to music and dance performances, as well as historical re-enactments by local artists and heritage performers.

Quotes

“Our Government is proud to contribute to Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest, a community-based festival that has been celebrating German culture and heritage in Ontario for more than four decades. By supporting festivals like this one, we are boosting tourism, strengthening our local economies and providing exciting experiences for visitors and residents alike.”

—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“The history of Waterloo Region was originally forged by German Canadians whose traditions enrich and strengthen our community. I am very pleased the Government of Canada is delivering support for Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest.”

—Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament (Kitchener Centre)

“We applaud the Government of Canada for the continuing support of the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program. This grant provides significant resources to ensure our festival will continue to deliver Canada’s greatest Bavarian festival to 700,000 of our closest friends. This investment will support our commitment to showcase local artists and dance groups in our festival with high production and presentation values, allowing us to deliver an outstanding visitor experience. This funding also allows us to enhance our volunteer training and recognition and to provide them with skill enhancement opportunities that will benefit not just our organization but other organizations in our community they volunteer with. We are proud to say that once again, the Government of Canada sees our festival as a wise investment.”

—Dave MacNeil, Executive Director, Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest