Travel Article: Kitchener-Waterloo: Canada's Twin Cities

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Kitchener � Waterloo is located one hour southwest of Toronto in the countryside of Ontario. These twin cities enjoy the prosperity of a strong and diverse economy. With a combined population of 300,000 people, and home to two leading universities and a symphony orchestra, Kitchener-Waterloo offers the benefits of vibrant city life. As a centre to the surrounding Mennonite religious farming communities, the twin cities also have a special country flare. Horses and buggies are frequently seen in and out of town. Farmers markets featuring baking, handmade rugs and quilts reflect a time in history where goods were homemade and of enduring quality. Festivals are part of the Kitchener � Waterloo fabric. Oktoberfest, the Quilt, and Elmira Maple Syrup Festivals are a few of the celebrations that this community has embraced. The activities and the atmosphere of Kitchener-Waterloo are delightful to tourists and locals.

History
In 1784, the future site of Kitchener-Waterloo was given to the Six Nation Indians. Not long after that the Six Nation Indians, led by Joseph Brant, decided that it would be beneficial to sell some of the land. A large portion of this land was sold to Colonel Richard Beasley, a United Empire Loyalist.


Blading in Kitchener-Waterloo Area

Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe of Upper Canada promoted the area and it held great appeal to Mennonite farmers in Pennsylvania. Promises of low cost land and religious freedom brought the Mennonite settlers. In 1803, Dauek Erb and Samuel Bricker bought 60,000 acres from Colonel Beasley. Upon returning with many countrymen and women, the area became a large Mennonite Colony. In 1806, a Pennsylvania Mennonite, Abraham Erb, bought 4000 acres. Traveling in a Conestoga wagon he came to the area that is now Waterloo. This industrious man built a sawmill, a gristmill, a dam and many roads. The first Mennonite church was built in 1807 and still stands in Kitchener on 800 Kings Street East.

In 1816, the German Company Tract, along the Grand River, became the township of Waterloo. It was named after Wellington's and von Blucher's victory over Napolean Bonaparte in 1815. In 1833, another settlement in the area was named Berlin which became a city in 1912. The First World War brought certain difficulties for this area peopled with folk of German descent. The city of Berlin was pressured to change its name. So in 1916, amid controversy, Berlin�s name was changed to Kitchener after a British General from the Boer War.

The industrialization in the area created large factories and subsequent growth. It became evident that Kitchener needed a city plan. In 1925, the first city plan was drawn up to control the growth of this burgeoning city incorporating zoning bylaws to establish districts for the commercial, residential, and industrial areas. This helped lay the foundation for the lively, lovely Kitchener that people enjoy today.

Climate
Kitchener-Waterloo has four distinctive seasons. Winter temperatures last from mid-December to late March, while summers are from June to September. The growing season is from May through September with an average of 141 frost free days. Area gardeners enjoy a zone 6 climate.


Climate

Transportation
Located just 10 minutes from downtown Kitchener is the well maintained The Region of Waterloo International Airport . This airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Toronto Pearson International Airport is approximately an hour away.

The public transit system is called The Grand River Transit. This transit system services the areas of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and St. Jacobs. Buses operate from 5:55 am to 1:30 am with different schedules for holidays, summer, fall and winter. There are four bus lines that offer out of town service: The Greyhound Transportation Corporation, The Cha Co Trails, Trentway Wagar Inc, and Cherry Bus Lines Inc. Grand River Transit acts as the local agent for the above companies. Via Rail provides a vital passenger service linking Kitchener by railway to destinations across Canada. The train station in Kitchener has been recently renovated.

St. Jacobs - Mennonites and Farmers Market
The Mennonites settled in and around St. Jacobs in the late 1700s and early 1800s becoming one of the original Mennonite colonies. Today, the rural areas around St. Jacobs are populated with many Old Order Mennonite families. These farmers practice the religion, customs and lifestyle of their 19th century ancestors supporting themselves with a lifestyle devoid of modern technology. There are varying degrees of conservatism among different sects ranging from no machinery use whatsoever to the use of certain machines to assist in certain chores. There are sometimes subtle differences between groups such as allowing carriages with metal decoration as opposed to plain carriages.


Taking a Rest

St. Jacobs Farmers Market is well worth experiencing. The local Old Order Mennonites add a unique flavour to the market. Sleek horse teams pull buggies loaded with goods for sale and peopled by men, women and children dressed in the same style of apparel that their ancestors wore hundreds of years ago. The garden goods, sturdy furniture, quilts, pantry items and baked goods of these farm families are very appealing. There are over 600 vendors (most of the vendors are not Old Order Mennonites) at the Farmers� Market/ Flea Market featuring a wide array of merchandise. Entertainment, balloons and an assortment of victuals create a carnival like atmosphere for the market goers to enjoy. Visitors can enjoy tours that are available from the market. One can tour the countryside and perhaps an Old Order Mennonite farm from the vantage point of a wagon pulled by a strapping team of horses. This is not just another farmers market - it is an experience.

Doon Heritage Crossroads
Crossroads are the intersection of two roads. Historically this was a place where trades and services developed and people gathered, hence many villages began at the crossroads. Doon Heritage Crossroads is a museum village made up of historic buildings and artifacts capturing and interpreting life in 1914. People dressed as villagers and farmers - circa 1914 - partake in activities that would have been done in that time period. The Doon Heritage Crossroads provides visitors with the opportunity to relive some of the 1914 experience.

Oktoberfest
With 55% of the population being of German heritage it seems natural that this area is home to the largest Oktoberfest celebration in North America. Held during the second week of October this festival draws close to 750,000 people. There are 15 festhallen (halls to party in.) Each festhallen offers a different atmosphere, ranging from the traditional to the unique. Despite the individual differences, excellent food, entertainment, music and dancing are standard at all the Festhallen celebrations.


A quilter demonstrating her craft

The Waterloo County and Area Quilt Festival
Held at the end of May, this annual non-profit festival celebrates the art and tradition of quilts and quilting. Billed as the largest of its kind in Canada, the festival consists of 40 events in 10 communities. A raffle is held in conjunction with the festival. The lucky winner receives an exquisite handmade quilt. Workshops and seminars are also available for quilt aficionados.

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival
This festival has been a community celebration since 1965. Each year over 15,000 servings of pancakes are served swimming in over 180 gallons of pure maple syrup. Booths with vendors featuring a variety of wares, entertainment and a festive spring atmosphere attract large numbers of locals and tourists. It has been recorded in the Guinness World Book of Records as the largest one day maple syrup event. This non-profit festival donates any funds that it accrues to local charities.

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Kitchener-Waterloo: Canada's Twin Cities