| Waterloo is a southwestern city in Ontario, Canada. | | | | No longer showing movies, this facility plays host to |
| Waterloo has a population just shy of 100 000, | | | | live performing arts. From theatre to live jazz and |
| although during the school season the population | | | | classical music, the Entertainment Centre has |
| balloons to about 115 000. It is often referred to as | | | | everything to please people with more highbrow |
| half of “Kitchener-Waterloo”. In actuality, | | | | taste. |
| Waterloo and Kitchener have separate municipal | | | | |
| governments. Although they are geographically | | | | 3. Waterloo Busker Carnival: Waterloo is home to |
| close, the two cities are far from similar. | | | | many festivals, they have the world’s largest |
| While Kitchener is known as an industrial based blue | | | | Oktoberfest outside of Germany, a popular jazz |
| collar town, Waterloo has embraced education and | | | | event, an ice sculpture festival and many others. |
| technology. This has helped it sustain its growth in | | | | One of the most popular and long standing events |
| the economic downturn. Waterloo has many | | | | has been their Busker Carnival. 2009 will mark the |
| attractions to entice visitors, here are a couple: | | | | 21st year of existence of this festival. |
| 1. RIM Park: Receiving its name from one of the | | | | This volunteer driven festival began in 1988 and was |
| many high tech companies in Waterloo (Reasearch In | | | | created to help revitalize Waterloo’s uptown |
| Motion), this park facility is one of Southwestern | | | | core. It was a resounding success and gains |
| Ontario’s finest. It includes 18 outdoor sports | | | | popularity each year. The event showcases some |
| fields, park land, trails and even a golf course. | | | | of the best street performers in the country. It is |
| You could spend all day outside, or you could visit the | | | | the perfect event to bring the kids too - they will be |
| recreation complex which is host to 4 olympic size ice | | | | thrilled by the acrobats and fire twirlers, and love the |
| rinks, an indoor turf field, 2 NBA size gymnasiums and | | | | street treats and face painting. Friday and Saturday |
| a 10, 000 sq .ft. banquet hall. As you can see this is | | | | afternoons are dedicated to children. |
| no ordinary park. If sports aren’t your thing, | | | | Waterloo is a great city for all ages. If you have |
| the park also hosts 4 unique art pieces and is | | | | children they will love the events, parks and the quiet |
| bordered by the scenic Grand River. | | | | nature of Waterloo. College age people will love the |
| 2. Waterloo Entertainment Centre: Situated in the | | | | clubs, schools and good time atmosphere. More |
| heart of uptown Waterloo it is hard to miss the | | | | mature people will appreciate how Waterloo is |
| entertainment centre. It is found in a beautifully | | | | continually improving itself to include cutting edge |
| restored movie theatre from the 1930’s. | | | | architecture and high brow entertainment. |