Adam’s First Oktoberfest: I take a trip back in time
Posted Oct 12, 2016 07:54:25 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
I took a trip way back in time to when Kitchener was once called Berlin.
At a booth inside Kitchener City Hall, a man named Dennis Ahrens stood talking to people about his family’s history. I approached him when he had some time on his hands. We started chatting and wow does his family have a connection to Kitchener.
His great grandfather Charles Andrews Ahrens came over from Germany in 1851 for opportunity and work. He turned that desire into a successful shoe factory called The Ahrens Shoe Company. They also had a grocery store on Lancaster as well.
Today, the building where the shoe factory once stood at 5 Michael Street is now an apartment building.
Dennis tells me his family has a pretty awesome connection to a famous bunch. “Helena Ahrens married James Schneider of Schneider’s Meats and after that, the Ahrens and Schneider’s had great moments together. They both have a huge influence on the community they lived in.”
KW Oktoberfest is more than just a festival to enjoy food, beer, and polka…it’s a time to celebrate all the German heritage the region has to offer.
I definitely learned something new, and I hope you did too!
