Kitchener - Waterloo

We spent several lovely days in the Kitchener - Waterloo area, celebrating Thanksgiving Canadian style, marveling at the spectacular Oktoberfest Thanksgiving parade and visiting the surrounding Mennonite villages of Heidelberg and St Jacobs.

	Our holiday home in Kitchener. Even homes located in suburbs have a sense of space compared to England. In 1784 the land was part of a large tract set aside as a grant to the Six Nations Indians for their loyalty to the British Crown during the American War of Independence.
	In 1800 a small group of Mennonites established the first permanent non-native settlement in what is now the City of Kitchener. Today it is a vibrant and cosmopolitan community.
	Once outside the City, Old Order Mennonites driving by horse and buggy are a common sight. They dress in "plain" dark clothes, speak their own language, and worship in their own churches.
	The horses don't seem fazed by traffic passing at speed on the open road. They keep to the shoulder that runs beside most roads out of town.
	In St Jacobs village the horse and buggy juxtapose with a Jaguar S Type and Chrysler Voyager. Very different cultures co-existing well, to an outsider's eyes.
	St Jacobs village is a wonderful place to mooch the shops and watch the world go by. This is the Post Office on King Street and is located next to the Mennonite Story visitor center.
	King Street, St Jacobs looking north. The Mennonite Story visitor center is in the far distance on the opposite side of the street.
	King Street, St Jacobs looking south. It could be the Cotswolds with many gift shops, antique shops and coffee shops to wander.
	The stage coach outside the improbably named Olde Heidelberg Restaurant Tavern & Motel was the only stage coach we saw in Canada.
	The Olde Heidelberg Restaurant Tavern & Motel captures the atmosphere of it's German cousins well - the food less so on our visit, unfortunately.
	Onkel Hans is the Official Mascot of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest and leads the parade.
	The parade is made up of many bands who play continuously for about three hours as the parade moves slowly from King and Erb streets in Waterloo to King and Cedar streets in Kitchener. Map.
	Created in 1974, Onkel Hans has come to symbolize the spirit of the festival and is a Goodwill Ambassador to the communities all across North America. As the mascot of Oktoberfest he appears everywhere - on buttons, pins, t-shirts, brochures, steins and other souvenirs.
	Miss Oktoberfest makes over 125 appearances each year including the Thanksgiving Day Parade. She is an ambassador extending the area's unique German heritage.
	Imagine having to carry one of these sousaphones for three hours, never mind having to play it too! Some musicians looked exhausted.
	Their German ancestry - Mennonites who fled Europe to escape persecution and discrimination in C17th - is clearly shown in this group of musicians.
	The First Nation ancestry of this group of men is clearly displayed. The Oktoberfest, held at Thanksgiving, celebrates unity in diversity.
	Oktoberfest crosses the cultural barrier - Indians play German beer hall music!
	Marching bands from all over North America vie for the privilege of taking part in the Oktoberfest parade.
	As you would expect the municipal authorities maintain a presence in the parade. The big red Fire truck and ...
	... the miniature white Police car - actually a go-kart with a plastic body - which amused children of all ages by darting about behind the Fire truck.
	Every band had at lest one conductor, this one had two. Yes, they walked every step of the way backwards!

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