CAMBRIDGE – Approximately 1,200 people packed civic square Wednesday (Oct. 8) to bite into a little Bavarian culture as the City of Cambridge launched its fifth annual Oktoberfest.
“We are the warm-up act for the rest of the region,” said Mayor Doug Craig, just before he read the proclamation to officially open Cambridge’s Oktoberfest activities.
Craig and Coun. Karl Kiefer tapped the first keg of the event and toasted to the success of the festival, which this year runs from Oct. 10 to 18 throughout the region.
During Wednesday’s opening ceremony, city hall staff rolled up their sleeves and got into their lederhosen to cook up some free Oktoberfest sausage for the crowd.
Joining Craig, members of council and festival officials at the opening, were Oktoberfest favourites Onkel Hans, the Steiners, and Miss Oktoberfest 2014, Lindsay Kalbfleisch.
Though Wednesday’s event was all about the hoopla, Oktoberfest really gets going this Friday (Oct. 10). The Rotary Club of Cambridge (Preston-Hespeler) will open the doors of Cambridge Bavaria Haus at 6 p.m. for a two-night stand at the Newfoundland Club (1500 Dunbar Rd.).
The local fest hall will be open Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets range from $15 (without a meal) to $30 (includes meal) and can be purchased at the door or online at www.cambridgeoktoberfest.ca.
The Bavaria Haus event features food, drink, souvenirs and a traditional keg tapping. Entertainment will be provided by Peter Baumman’s Oomaph Band and Ties That Bind.
Bavaria Haus has also arranged a free shuttle service throughout Cambridge, along with special discounts at participating Cambridge hotels.
Waterloo Regional Police is urging people to enjoy Oktoberfest responsibly.
“On behalf of the members of our police service who are working hard to ensure public safety, I would like to welcome the many groups and individuals who will be visiting our region to partake in our culture and festivities,” said newly minted police chief Bryan Larkin in a news release. “We encourage everyone to make safety a top priority.”
The police force will be beefing up its presence as Oktoberfest gets underway. Officers will be on patrol in and around the fest halls. Also underway will be Operation Impact, a road safety campaign concentrating on impaired driving, use of seatbelts, and distracted or aggressive driving offences. This initiative is supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and will run Oct. 10 to 13.
Police again remind everyone to plan ahead, use public transportation or designated drivers, and ensure they arrive home safely.
“The Waterloo Region community can expect to see RIDE checks throughout Oktoberfest and should call 911 if they suspect a driver to be impaired,” said traffic services staff Sgt. Jim Strand in the news release.
Additionally, police remain concerned about the number of injuries resulting from incidents connected to aggressive driving, inappropriate use of seatbelts and distracted driving.
Statistics suggest a driver is 23 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle collision if text messaging while driving. Distracted driving was one of the community’s top priorities in a recent survey conducted by Waterloo Regional Police.