Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

[jeffster]

I think it is important for the region/ kw Oktoberfest to figure out a way to keep this festival going. These types of cultural activities are important to keep cities interesting. I do think a few things need to change. Quickly here are a couple of my suggestions not necessarily in the order of importance:

1) They need to negotiate a better deal with Molson that will most of the halls to see the Molson products, but then allow others to showcase all the region has to offer in terms of beers. Craftoberfest already has an unofficial hall during Oktoberfest and it is definitely one of the more popular halls.
2) They need to create a better street presence when the festival is on. Banners should be running all the way from downtown Kitchener to uptown Waterloo so people know it is happening. 
3) The start of the festival needs to be more spectacular. Last year i went downtown after work and they had a dinky little booth/ sectioned off area to buy beers.  Maybe the first night should have king st completely shut down. Get a new event liquor license that allows for drinking on the street. Not just in a fenced in area. Bring in long tables and food trucks and make it a "free" hall to start the festival off. This would depend largely on weather.
4) Turn the aud and surrounding land into the family zone. Bring in a fall fair in the aud parking lot. Create a variety family oriented actives in a concentrated area.
5) Not sure what to do with the parade, but I think it need a refresher. Seems to be getting a little stale. Needs some new floats more participation from large local tech businesses. It also doesn't have the same feeling on Weber st as it did on King. 
6) Need to reach out to the tech companies. They should have more of an involvement in the festival in terms of sponsorship/ events. Other than techtoberfest (which I believe is not officially part of oktoberfest) I didn't notice their involvement in this huge regional event last year. 
7) Pricin, obviously this is never going to happen, but it needs to get under control. $10 for a beer and $10 for a sausage is ridiculous and one of the reasons I believe the younger generation is staying home or only going to 1 festhall. 
8) Bring back the glass steins. It just does have an authentic feel in plastic cups 

Not sure how achievable any of these things are or if they would help the festival. I am definitely no expert on the subject. I went to my first hall this past year. I don't want this thing to fad away into non existence like the dragon boat festival though.

Some really good points, and here's my take on them!

1) This is a good idea, but would Molson be OK with this?
2) So this got me thinking -- more advertising on the 401.
3) Agree -- for such a large event, it's pretty low-key. I'd almost suggest starting it a week before, on the Saturday (though fest hall could open Friday night, to encourage people to stick around (rather than a lunch hour ceremony) and have it run until Thanksgiving. Both are 10 days, but if you start on a Saturday, you have a running start.
4) A fall fair is a great idea. Unsure what indoor activities the aud could host, being that ice is already installed (or being installed) - event flooring would allow for activities in the Dom arena and Kiwanis rink. Midway and food/drink at the Aud would go a long way.
5) Unsure what to do either.
6) Agree, but how?
7) Yes, especially when you can get a $3 special (Molson) from Chucks.
8) That's funny but yes...