Oktoberfest ist Wunderbar!

I have yet to make it to Oktoberfest in Germany, but it does remain on my international travel bucket list. In the meantime I will enjoy little Oktoberfests in other parts of the world. First was London, this time around was the largest Bavarian festivities outside Germany in Kitchener-Waterloo. We attended the Alpine Club Festhallen and although we were a bit underwhelmed at first, it quickly became a great afternoon.

I was aware that Molson's Canadian sponsored the Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo, so I wasn't really expecting to have much options. To my surprise and delight Rickard's had a special brew and a stone fruit cider that I thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe too much so?

The small venue had a stage with a 3 person band; Keyboard, accordion, and guitar. We figured there wasn't going to be much else entertainment, but we were wrong. There were traditional dancers doing lovely traditional dances. My favourite was chopping wood to the beat of the Bavarian tune with occasional knee slapping and stomping moves.

Onkel Hans made an appearance!

There was a bell playing lady, who's dream had always been to play at an Oktoberfest. She was so excited to be there!

Next there was the food: schnitzel, sausage, potato, sauerkraut, and cabbage roll. The Alpine Club is famous for their Apple Strudel, but sadly they had run out by the time we made our way to try it ourselves.

Schnapps was the only way to fill the apple shaped void; chocolate raspberry schnapps to be exact.

With 17 Festhallen I can certainly go back next year and have a different experience. I think first though, I'll need to procure some Bavarian attire!

Have you ever been to Oktoberfest in Germany?

Christkindl Market

As mentioned ad nauseam, at least it's starting to feel that way a bit, I was on the quest for Christmas Markets in Ontario. I'm sure there are lots of little community fairs, sales, and markets at this time of year, but after my very brief Google search, I discovered the only 2 that take place in Ontario and coincidentally they were close enough for a visit. 

Who am I kidding, I would have been willing to make an epic trek to get my Christmas Market fix.

The first market was the annual Christkindl Market taking place in Kitchener, Ontario. Fun fact: the town of Kitchener gets its name from Lord Kitchener (yeah, this guy) when it was renamed from Berlin during the Second World War. Although the residence of the city wanted to cut ties from Deutschland, the city is still strong in its Germanic culture. Kitchener also yearly plays host to a large Oktoberfest.

After my visit to the Brampton Christmas Market, I didn't want to get my hopes up too high. That said, the market certainly exceeded my expectations, I was slightly disappointed more of the stalls weren't outside in the charming wooden huts, but I know, windchill. 

This market had all the hallmarks of a magical European Christmas Market; skating rink, wooden huts, sausage in a bun, Christmas ornaments, mulled wine (albeit only to be consumed in the beer garden), sugared almonds etc. However, this market also had traditional German dancing, Klaus the Organ Grinder, German carols, kartoffelpuffer, the pickle ornament, lederhosen, and lots of Stollen. 

Klaus the Organ Grinder

Honestly, it felt like the most German Market I've ever been to (I'm including the ones in Germany). The markets in Germany felt more authentic as if saying, 'this is our tradition, enjoy it with us here in Germany', whereas the Christkindl Market felt more like, 'this is German! This is a Christmas market!'. Not a bad thing in the least! 
In Kitchener, this is how they do.