WATERLOO
REGION, Ont. – As southern Ontario’s summer growing season draws to a close, visitors
to Waterloo Region will beable to get a delicious taste of the harvest through
a variety of culinary events and restaurants that feature local fare.
Located
an hour west of Toronto, the Waterloo Region offers a mix of vibrant urban
centres and picturesque rural towns surrounded by rich agricultural lands that
grow some of the province’s best fresh produce.
“The
fall is a fantastic time of year to get out and explore our part of the
province,” says Minto Schneider, General Manager of Waterloo Regional Tourism
Marketing Corporation. “Not only are we blessed with amazing scenery and
a rich agricultural tradition, but also we offer all kinds of venues for
visitors to enjoy foods produced and harvested right in the region.”
A
trip to one of the region’s popular farmers’ markets during the fall is sure to
put visitors in the mood for great food.
Open
year-round on Thursdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the St. Jacobs
Farmers’ Market features hundreds of vendors with local fruits, veggies and
meats to freshen up any menu. In addition to outdoor vendors, the market’s new
Harvest Barn also houses food and craft vendors.
Not
far from St. Jacobs in the heart of Kitchener, visitors can also find the best
of this season’s harvest at the Kitchener Market, which has roots stretching
back more than 140 years. Open Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., the market is a
great place to find fresh produce, cheese, flowers, tender meat, homemade treats,
original crafts and more.
One
of the oldest farmers’ markets in Canada, The Cambridge Farmers’ Market, also
has a long history serving up fresh picked fruits and vegetables, meats, baked
goods, cheese, maple syrup and honey, farm fresh eggs and ethnic foods, as well
as home made crafts and one of a kind items. The market is open Saturdays and
on Wednesdays the outdoor, seasonal market runs until October 8th. All of the
vendors come from within a 100-kilometre radius of the market, which has been operating
in the same location since the 1830s.
For
visitors who would rather have their meal prepared for them while exploring the
area’s autumn activities, Waterloo Region is home to many restaurants known for
their great cuisine.
Among
them is a former church in Kitchener that has been transformed into fine-dining
restaurant Verses, complete with stained-glass windows and cathedral ceilings.
While the menu has a French influence, the four-diamond restaurant relies
heavily on local foods.
In
nearby Waterloo, up-market bistro The Bauer Kitchen also operates out of a
building that’s been repurposed. The SoHo-inspired restaurant is located in a
restored former felt factory. The building’s industrial steel, concrete floors,
reclaimed wood and custom lighting combine to create a warm backdrop for
dining. The spectacular menu features classic dishes prepared with the highest
quality and freshest ingredients.
In
addition to enjoying the bounty of its agriculture, the harvest season in
Waterloo Region is also synonymous with another traditional celebration —
Oktoberfest.
The
largest festival of its kind in North America, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
runs from October 10-18. The Bavarian-themed festival features 19 “Festhallens”
where massive parties take place, a Thanksgiving Day parade and dozens of
activities and events for families. OktoberFEAST, featuring delicious dishes
served by food trucks, will return for the third year to the Waterloo Public
Square in UpTown Waterloo on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12.
Craft
beer lovers can rejoice at Craftoberfest, a festival during Oktoberfest
dedicated to the popular craft beer movement, which the Waterloo Region
hasfully embraced. Tons of craft beer events will take place from Sept. 27 –
Oct. 18, featuring beer from local favourites like Block 3, Descendants,
Innocente, Grand River, Royal City and more from across Ontario.
For
more information on what’s going on in Waterloo Region this fall, please visit
explorewaterlooregion.com.
About the Waterloo Region
Waterloo Region is a
unique area where unspoiled nature, booming high-tech industry, world-class
arts and culture, bustling urban centres, renowned academic institutions,
mouth-watering cuisine, and sports and leisure facilities collide! Comprised of
the citiesof Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo as well as
the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolrich (Home of
St. Jacobs Country), Waterloo Region is located just one hour west of Toronto.
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