Kate's fun things to do this Thanksgiving long weekend

Your weekend may be filled with turkey, pie, pumpkin picking and time with family, but hopefully you have time to squeeze in some other fun events during what is one of busiest weekends of the year here in Waterloo region.

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

11 a.m. to midnight, Friday, Oct. 5

7:30 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 6

9:30 a.m. to midnight, Sunday, Oct. 7

8 a.m. to midnight, Monday, Oct. 8

Various locations

If you've felt like you haven't had enough oom-pah-pah in your life lately, well, this will cure what ails you. A few highlights: official keg tapping around noon Friday, family breakfast Saturday morning, and the parade (and food drive) Monday starting at 8:30 a.m. Plus all the events at festhalls and along King Street in downtown Kitchener.

• K-W Oktoberfest website

Craftoberfest

7 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Oct. 5

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6

7 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 6

Kitchener Market, 300 King St. E., Kitchener

This annual event celebrates local craft breweries and cideriesall under one roof. Live entertainment, fun activities and an extensive list of beers to try including some brewed specifically for this event. Tickets are limited and may be sold out soon. If you don't get tickets or can't make it, the brewery behind this event, TWB Co-op, is also going to be at the Kitchener Market.

• K-W Craftoberfest website

Retroberfest

7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday, Oct. 5

Bingemans, 425 BingemansCentre Dr., Kitchener

Lots of music. Lots of beer. Lots of Oktoberfest spirit including George Kash and the Oktoberfest Express rolling some barrels (literally). Bingemans has many other events (including a concert with Smash Mouth next week sing it: "Hey now, you're an all star, get your game on ..."). We won't get into the messy divorce between Bingemans and K-W Oktoberfest here, because let's be honest, this weekend is just about having some fun.

• Oktoberfest Kool Haus Events page

Erntefest

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 8

Scheider Haus, 466 Queen St. S., Kitchener

Stop by after the parade for someGerman Zwiebelkuchen (Onion Cake) and Pflaumenkuchen (Plum Cake) freshly baked in our historic wood oven.

• Schneider Hauswebsite

New Hamburg Oktoberfest

6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 6

Royal Canadian Legion, 65 Boullee St., New Hamburg

German food, beer and spirits and dance your schnitzel off with DJ Habermehl.

• Facebook event page

OK, so, that's a lot of German culture and beer and let's be honest, Oktoberfest isn't for everyone. So here are a few extra ideas for your weekend.

Guelph Makers Pop-up Shop

6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5

10C Shared Space, 42 Carden St., Guelph

More than 20 local artisans will have their handmade items on display for this event. Admission is a donation at the door, which goes to The Seed.

• Facebook event page

Indefest

4 p.m. start, Sunday, Oct. 7

Rim Park, 2001 University Avenue, Waterloo

Celebrate Nigerian Independence Day. There's music, food and dancing along with a chance to meet people in the region. Tickets are necessary to get in. The event is hosted by the group Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo.

• Facebook event page

Kitchener Rangers vs. Sudbury Wolves

4 p.m. puck drops, Sunday, Sept. 7

The Aud, 400 East Ave., Kitchener

Spend some time watching hockey this long weekend and cheering on the Rangers as they face-off against the Wolves. Can't make it Sunday? They take on Saginaw Spirit Friday night at The Aud at 7:30 p.m., too.

• Kitchener Rangers website

Woolly Bear Weekends

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 8

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, 2500 Kossuth Rd., Cambridge

You may spot more Woolly bear caterpillars in the fall, and during the month of October, you can learn more about them, like why they have those stripes and how they survive the winter.

• Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

Fall Fairs

There are a few fall fairs a short drive from our area:

Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, on until Monday.

Erin Fall Fair, on until Monday.

Tiverton Fall Fair, on until Sunday.

Burford Fall Fair, on until Monday.

Rockton World's Fair, on until Monday.