Community Loop - Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region locals are already diving into this week’s massive digest. Here is some of what you might have missed:

🚒 19-Storey Fire Station / Housing Combo: Kitchener City Council just approved a massive downtown development that is part brand-new fire station, part 281 rental homes.

🚰 Region Water Capacity Update: After a number of month’s block on building permits, the Region has officially unlocked new water capacity to support local housing and jobs.

🚧 Road Report: Arthur Street reconstruction has started, and a major closure is coming to Fountain Street near the roundabout on July 20. Expect detour delays if you're heading to the airport (YKF).

📹 6 New CCTV Cameras: The exact list of intersections in Cambridge and North Dumfries where WRPS surveillance has officially switched on.

🌟 The SEEN Campaign Finale: Chloe's story. The third and final feature of our community campaign recognizing the quiet forces holding local families and neighborhoods together.

🗓️ This Week’s Events & Festivals: From Kitchener Ribfest and the Jazz Festival to local fundraisers and splash days.

Want to read the full issue right now?
You don’t have to wait until next Tuesday. Tap the link in our bio to read the July 14th issue online immediately and subscribe for free so you never miss the next one! 🔗👇

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The heat isn't leaving, and neither are the events! ☀️🥵 Waterloo Region is absolutely packed this week.

We are behind the scenes right now putting together the ultimate logistical guides for everything hitting the region over the next few days. There is way too much happening to fit into a standard social media post, so here is what we are tracking for you:

🍖 The Big Festivals:
Kitchener Ribfest in Victoria Park
UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival is back

☀️ The Heatwave Strategy:
Dropping details on upcoming family splash days and free sponsored swim days to help you beat the heat.

⚽ The Big Screen:
The World Cup Final is this Sunday. We’ll show you exactly where you can catch the match locally.

🎵 Local Music & Talent:
Keeping tabs on Kitchener Takes the Stage and Afro Vibes.

🎈 Smaller Community Events:
Conestoga College Firefighter Car Wash Fundraiser
Summer in the Park

👉 Want the full, interactive cheat sheet before the weekend hits?
We drop the details straight to our email subscribers tomorrow (Tuesday) morning by 7:00 AM.
Tap the link to subscribe for free and make sure you're in the loop! 📧👇 ⁠www.communityloopwr.ca⁠/subscribe

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Rib Fest season has officially arrived in the Waterloo Region! 🍖🔥 We kick things off in Waterloo this weekend, with Kitchener and Cambridge festivals coming up next.

The Waterloo Rib & Beer Fest starts today at RIM Park! If you're heading out to grab some world-class BBQ, catch a tribute band, or hit the craft beer market, here is your quick need-to-know guide:

📍 WHERE:
* RIM Park (2001 University Ave, Waterloo)

🗓️ WHEN (Festival Hours):
* Friday, July 10: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
* Saturday, July 11: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
* Sunday, July 12: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
⚠️ Note: Gates close 1 hour prior to closing time each night!

💰 ADMISSION:
* $3 per person (Kids under 5 are FREE!)

🤑 THE BREAKDOWN ON HAPPY HOUR:
Go between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM on Saturday or Sunday to score:
* $1 OFF bar drinks (tall beer cans, coolers, seltzers, wine, frozen cocktails) + 2 FREE sides with the purchase of a full rack at any Rib Truck!

🎸 LIVE MUSIC LINEUP:
Friday:
* 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Wicked Truth
* 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM | Just Jovi (Bon Jovi Tribute)
Saturday:
* 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Pink Leather Jackets
* 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Street Survivors (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute)
* 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM | The Tragically Trip (Tragically Hip Tribute)
Sunday:
* 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Otis Wonder & The Hustle
* 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Fried Bologna

🐶 PET POLICY:
* Pets are welcome! They must be leashed and cleaned up after. Pro tip: Fill out the pet waiver online before you go to show at the gate.

💳 PAYMENT INFO:
* Most vendors accept cash, debit, and credit cards. There are also ATMs located on-site if you need cash.

Are you hitting the rib trucks tonight, or saving your appetite for the weekend Happy Hour? Let us know below! 👇

The Kultrún World Music Festival starts tomorrow (Friday) at Waterloo Park! 🥁✨ If you are looking for incredible global music, interactive workshops, and delicious food trucks, here is a quick need-to-know guide:

💰 HOW MUCH:
* Completely FREE admission!

📍 WHERE:
* Waterloo Park (Near the Bandshell area)

🗓️ WHEN (Festival Hours):
* Friday, July 10: 6:00 PM – 10:15 PM
* Saturday, July 11: 2:00 PM – 10:30 PM
* Sunday, July 12: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎨 WHAT TO EXPECT:
Excellent music from around the world, alongside incredible food trucks, a cultural craft market, and interactive activities.

🖍️ FEATURED KIDS & FAMILY WORKSHOPS:
Bring the family out to the festival fields for these hands-on interactive events:
* Sat @ 4:15 PM: Join the public Drum Circle (hosted by Alison)
* Sat @ 5:45 PM: Children’s Concert – "Music for the Imagination" by Pájaros Kiltros
* Sun @ 2:45 PM: Sock Puppet Making workshop with MapuChile
* Sun @ 6:00 PM: The Family Parade (led by Chinchineros del Centro)

Kultrún starts tomorrow! Are you planning to check it out this weekend, or have you been in the past? Drop your plans or any questions below and we'll do our best to answer! 👇

Update: World’s Finest Shows says the Midway will close at 5pm today, not 10pm.

Heading to the Midway at The Aud this weekend? Here is your quick logistics cheat sheet:

🗓️ HOURS:
* Thursday, July 9: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
* Friday, July 10: 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
* Saturday, July 11: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
* Sunday, July 12: 12:00 PM – 5:00PM

🎟️ ADMISSION & RIDES:
* Gate Admission: FREE to enter and walk around!
* Ride Options: Ride-all-day bracelets and Ride Credits (Pay As You Go).
Credits are loaded onto a reusable card. A one-time $5 activation fee applies to your first card purchase. Your first purchase includes bonus credits.

🚗 PARKING & TRANSIT:
* General Parking: FREE
* Note: Free spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can fill up quickly during peak hours, so arriving early is recommended.

🍿 THE FOOD SPREAD:
Funnel cakes, candy floss, hand-dipped corn dogs, candy apples, fresh-cut fries, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

Midway starts tomorrow! Have any questions? Drop them below and we'll do our best to answer! 👇

This weekend, something happens in Hespeler that only happens once every 10 years.

The last Hespeler Reunion was 2016. The next one is 2036. This one is July 10-12, and it’s a tradition with roots going back to 1906.

🏒 FRIDAY: Alumni hockey game (6:30 p.m.) and homecoming dance (8 p.m.)

🎉 SATURDAY: Parade at 10 a.m., then a car show, live music, kids’ zone, baseball tournament, vendor market, and a soapbox derby. Open houses at the fire hall, library, churches, and tennis club all day.

👨‍👩‍👧 SUNDAY: Family day in Victoria Park, children’s entertainment, live music, baseball finals.

Most of the weekend is completely free.

If you know someone who grew up in Hespeler, even if they moved away years ago, tag them. They’ll want to know about this one.

This is just some of the highlights. Full three-day schedule is at hespelerreunion.ca

Your Waterloo Region Cheat Sheet for July 7–12 is here. 🗓️

We’ve cut through the noise to bring you the 5 events everyone will be talking about, our exclusive "Seen" spotlight on Lindsay, and the local insights you won’t find anywhere else.

Social media only shows you the surface. Want the full breakdown, event timings, and insider tips?

📩 Get the full plan delivered straight to your inbox Tuesday morning. Join the Loop www.communityloopwr.ca/subscribe

Weather in Waterloo Region is anyone's guess today, but your plans don't have to be! 🍒⚽️

Whether you’re hunting for cherry tarts or ready to cheer on the big matches, we’ve got your game plan.

✨ TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS:
🍒 Cherry Festival: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Cherry Park. Food, music, and family fun. Get out there before the rain catches up!

⚽️ Soccer Watch Party: Catch Canada vs. Morocco (1:00 PM) or Paraguay vs. France (5:00 PM) at the Kitchener Market Piazza or Gaslight District.

⚠️ TIP: If the rain decides to make an appearance most local pubs have screens rolling for the matches. Check your local spot and grab a patio table under cover!

👇 WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?
Are you braving the elements for the festival, or keeping it dry at a watch party? Let us know in the comments!

📲 NEVER MISS A WEEKEND ROUNDUP:
We break down the best local events and family guides so you don’t have to. Straight to your inbox every Tuesday.
Subscribe for free at: www.communityloopwr.ca/subscribe

☀️💦 BEAT THE HEAT: The Ultimate Splash Pad Guide for Waterloo Region! Swipe for the bonus packing list.

With summer here, don't waste your morning searching for the closest park. We’ve rounded up every major splash pad across Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge so you can keep the kids (and yourself) cool all weekend long. 🧊

Save this post right now so you aren’t scrambling to find a spot.

✨ WHAT’S INSIDE:
Kitchener - 10 locations (including that Carl Zehr Square exception you need to know!).

Waterloo - 4 locations

Cambridge - 11 locations

Bonus: The "Pro-Pack" Checklist: What you actually need to bring to survive a full day at the park. Swipe and screenshot this slide,
it’s your ultimate summer survival guide!

🚀 NEVER MISS A LOCAL GUIDE: We break down the best local events, family hacks, and survival guides across Waterloo Region so you don't have to search for them. Join thousands of locals using the Loop to plan their weekends.
Subscribe for free or visit: www.communityloopwr.ca/subscribe

Where to catch fireworks and drone shows in Waterloo Region TONIGHT! 🎇🇨🇦

Save this list so you aren’t scrambling for locations or times right before the sky lights up!

✨ THE CITIES
• Cambridge (Riverside Park) ➡️ 9:45 PM (Full Fireworks Display)

• Waterloo (Waterloo Park) ➡️ 10:00 PM (Massive LED Drone Light Show)

• Downtown Kitchener (Carl Zehr Square) ➡️ 10:40 PM (Pyrotechnic Light & Sound Show)

✨ THE TOWNSHIPS
• Ayr (Cowan Park) ➡️ 9:45 PM (Fireworks)

• New Hamburg (Norm Hill Park) ➡️ 9:45 PM (Fireworks)

⚠️ QUICK TIPS:
• Waterloo Park features a spectacular Drone Show this year, NOT traditional fireworks, perfect if you have noise-sensitive kids or pets!
• Parking near these parks fills up incredibly fast, so plan to head out early.

🇨🇦 🇨🇦 Planning your daytime activities too? Scroll down our feed to find our Ultimate Canada Day Guides (Part 1 & Part 2) for the full breakdown of daytime events, parades, and family fun across the Big Three and the Townships!

💬 COMMENT "GUIDE" below and we’ll DM you the direct links to all of our Canada Day schedules so you don't miss a thing!