Greater Toronto Wine-Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

Number 10: Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is pleased to announce the renewal of our partnership with Molson Canada with the signing of a new three-year agreement. The partnership with Molson Canada has continued for over 30 years!

Number 9: A special 6-page 40th Anniversary Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest insert appeared in The Record on June 4th with articles on Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest’s humble beginnings in which the Festival started with $200 and a vote of confidence from the Chamber of Commerce. The feature provides historical information and a spotlight on the more than 450 year-round volunteers assuming leadership roles that make Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest happen each year.

Number 8: Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is launching a new campaign throughout Waterloo Region called “PAINT THE TOWN WUNDERBAR!” The campaign will be composed of street banners through the core, businesses and retail outlets painting their storefront windows, and residential decorating similar to the enthusiasm displayed by Calgary residents in celebration of the Calgary Stampede.

Number 7: Onkel Hans has helped Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest discover social networking! If you haven’t stumbled across Onkel Hans on Facebook, be sure to look him up, give him a Poke, and send him a friend request. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is developing a new website that will go live by the end of June and includes a social networking component. The new website will give our web visitors the chance to become a club member, share videos, pictures, plan parties and interact with Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest as well as each other.

Number 6: Not only has Onkel Hans been given a makeover to an edgier action figure, but Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is introducing a new series of icons for the Oktoberfest family of events that provides each event with its own identity yet ties it into the overall Kitchener- Waterloo Oktoberfest brand.

Number 5: The search for Miss Oktoberfest 2008 begins! This year’s search for Miss “O” will be expanded into the community by going into restaurants and night spots to recruit potential candidates. The experience of being Miss Oktoberfest is about more than the crown. In fact, several past Miss Oktoberfest’s have stayed connected with Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

by joining one of the 40 Volunteer Committees. Nicole Stuber (Miss Oktoberfest 2007), Lyndsey Weber (Miss Oktoberfest 2006), Krystal Benesch (Miss Oktoberfest 2005) and Melissa Melnychuk (Miss Oktoberfest 2003) all currently serve on the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Marketing Committee.

Number 4: Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Tickets are on sale NOW! Eight local radio stations have been provided tickets for on-air giveaways for a handful of lucky listeners starting tomorrow morning, so listen to 105.3 Kool FM, Oldies 1090, 96.7 CHYM FM, 570 NEWS, 91.5 The Beat, 107.5 Dave FM, KIX 106 and 98.5 CKWR to win.

Number 3: Local musician and producer, Fred Smith, has been engaged to create a memorable jingle for Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. The catchy jingle will be used to promote the Festival in a variety of promotional campaigns.

Number 2: A new collection of specially labeled wines have been launched in celebration of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest’s 40th anniversary. These wines have been bottled by Joseph’s Estate Wines especially for Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest and include a Gamay, a Merlot Rese, a Vidal Riesling, a Gamay Zweigelt, and a Gewurztramine.

Number 1: This year through a generous grant of $261,000 from our partner, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and a program called Celebrate Ontario; Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest will launch the largest production extravaganza in the history of the Festival. The event will be an Oktoberfest Expo held in the Concordia Tent on Saturday, October 4, 2008. The evening will start with traditional German culture, exciting Dance Groups in full costume, cultural entertainers, the tasting of fine German foods and beverages and caps off with one of Canada’s top recording bands.