Latest news with #ErickTraplin
CTV News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Annual city festival aims to cherr-ish community
The annual Cherry Festival returned to Kitchener for its 15th year on Saturday. The festival takes place in Cherry Park, tucked away in the middle of a neighbourhood. 'What better way to celebrate? We have a Cherry Park then to have a Cherry Festival,' said Shirley Gosselin, the past-president of the Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association. The festival one of the events the association runs every year. They've been doing so since 2008, only skipping two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 'We emphasize a lot about volunteering and giving back to the community,' said Gosselin. 'So, we have smaller events, which are just for our neighborhood but we wanted one event that was for the whole city.' Gosselin said the festival usually brings around 4,000 to 5,000 people to the park to enjoy cherry-flavoured desserts and other food for attendees to purchase and enjoy. The event also had various entertainment including live music, performances by local children's musician Erick Traplin, inflatable attractions, a swing carousel, a pie-eating contest, a vintage car show and a centre stage for wrestling. 'We like to say we have something for all ages,' said Gosselin. 'A lot of people bring their own picnic and just enjoy the music so they're not spending any money and other people come and buy their lunch and go to the vendors. So, there [are different] ways to spend your whole day here.' Spencer Merino is a local of the area who has been to Cherry Park but never to the festival. 'They put up signs around the city, and I heard about it,' he said. 'Me and my sisters seemed interested in it, so we invited our friends out to come and watch.' Merino said these kinds of events are important. 'I think taking part in community things is fun,' he said. 'Making friends in the community and showing that we are a community, all that is good and it's a good place to meet people in your city.' Gosselin said knowing your community and neighbours can help foster healthy relationships. 'I want to live in a neighborhood where people know one another and watch over one another's places,' she said. 'I see people come every year, and they stop and they're talking and they haven't seen each other since the previous year… They look forward to it.' Gosselin explained how the festival is run by volunteers who are passionate about togetherness. 'We have over 100 volunteers, helping make this event run as smoothly as we can,' she said. 'We like to create these festivals and things that the neighbors do that makes our city a welcoming place that people want to live in. You don't want a place where people just go into their house and lock their doors. Come on out, enjoy the park.'
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Kitchener celebrates children's entertainer Erick Traplin
Local icon and musician Erick Traplin was honoured in his very own 'Erick Traplin Day' in at city hall in Kitchener for 35 years in children's entertainment.
CTV News
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Local legend Erick Traplin honoured in downtown Kitchener celebration
Kitchener Watch Local icon and musician Erick Traplin was honoured in his very own 'Erick Traplin Day' in at city hall in Kitchener for 35 years in children's entertainment.
Hamilton Spectator
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
St. Marys Friendship Centre highlights opportunities for intergenerational connection this Seniors Month
As the St. Marys Friendship Centre gears up for its next intergenerational program, a concert featuring children's entertainer Erick Traplin at the Pyramid Recreation Centre (PRC) June 6, St. Marys senior services manager Jenny Mikita reflected on why fostering connections between generations can be so positive. The upcoming concert, scheduled on a PA Day for local schools and set to begin at 9:30 a.m., is yet another event planned in partnership by the Friendship Centre and St. Marys' EarlyON Centre aimed at fostering connections between seniors and young children. 'It's a free event. We're encouraging our population to come – bring your grandkids – and EarlyON is encouraging their families to come, so we hope to have a good turnout for that,' Mikita said. ' … That intergenerational piece just brings joy to people.' The idea behind hosting events for seniors and young children came about naturally thanks, in part, to the myriad groups and programs hosted for a diverse range of ages within the walls of the PRC. While the Friendship Centre caters mostly to older adults, the EarlyON Centre offers free, high-quality programming for children from birth to six years old and their families. In many cases, there is overlap in both the time slots and spaces used for the programming offered by both centres. 'EarlyON actually has a Baby Time program; it's held on Thursday mornings. We run all different programs in all different spaces at all different times, but at that particular time in our main hall, drop-in coffee area, we're running a program called ROMEO – Retired Outstanding Men Enjoying Ourselves,' Mikita said. 'It's just really a coffee time. The purpose of ROMEO is really to draw older men out of their homes because sometimes there needs to be genders for specific programming for specific groups, so that's a group of retired individuals. Some of them are farmers, some of them are professionals; they get together and they enjoy coffee and social. They're supposed to come for fitness and then stick around and have coffee, but they come for coffee first and then have fitness. ' … So, during that time, about a year ago, EarlyON started bringing their families – their caregivers with their young ones, and young is usually under the age of 18 months – over to the main hall. In the main hall at the time, it was the ROMEO group and then other people having coffee, and they'd just literally come over, socialize and connect. And we've seen wonderful connections; like long-term-relationship connections between some of the EarlyON families and some of coffee friends here.' A few of those relationships were so strong, when one of the EarlyON families moved away, they kept in touch with their new friends from the Friendship Centre. And after a programming change briefly ended the visits by EarlyON families, the ROMEO members told Friendship Centre staff they missed their weekly connections with the babies and their families. 'Babies make you feel good when they're not crying, right?' Mikita said. 'We have heard, 'I don't see my grandkids as much as I'd like to.' It's nice to have interactions like that. Providing an outlet for grandparents and grandchildren or caregivers and young ones or different age groups to interact with one another is educational and heartwarming for both the young and the older.' Mikita says the Friendship Centre and EarlyON Centre partners every chance they get to organize programs that have mutual benefit for both young ones and seniors. Beyond the concert on June 6, the centres are in the early stages of planning a grandparents' day in the fall and staff hopes to continue planning similar intergenerational events once or twice a year going forward. For more information about the Friendship Centre and all the wonderful programs and services it offers for seniors, visit . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Summer events in Waterloo Region
Summer is here and there's lots to do in the Region of Waterloo! Here's a preview of some of the events you can look forward to. Kitchener June 7 Pride in the Park: Summerfest at Willow River Park (Victoria Park). The lineup includes drag artists, performers and musicians. There will also be a Kids Zone with family-friendly music, games and crafts. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 7 Wicked Sing-Along at Carl Zehr Square. The movie will play on a big screen and attendees are encouraged to wear pink and green! Snacks can be purchased. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 8 Erick Traplin Day at Carl Zehr Square. A special celebration in recognition of the entertainer's 35-year career. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 20 – June 22 Multicultural Festival in Victoria Park. Music, dance, workshops, a Kids Area and food. Neighbours Day 2024 Vintage Crescent A crowd gathers on Vintage Crescent in Kitchener as musicians DadBand play for Neighbours Day on June 15, 2024. (Shelby Knox/CTV News) June 21 Neighbours Day. This free porch party will be held at various locations across the city. Pop-up concerts, live entertainment and more. Concerts start at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. July 1 Canada Day at Carl Zehr Square. Details to come. July 7 – July 11 Band Camp with Bandology – Kids (between Grade 1 and Grade 12) can take part in music rehearsals, performances, hands-on musical workshops and group activities. Participants do not need any musical experience and will be taught by music educators, conductors and musicians. July 11 Cruising on King. The classic car parade returns, along with live entertainment, food and more. 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ribfest 4 Ribs cook on the grill at the Ribfest and Craft Beer Show at Victoria Park in Kitchener on Friday, July 17, 2017. (Dan Lauckner / CTV Kitchener) July 17 – July 19 Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show. Barbecue masters return to Victoria Park, serving up chicken, ribs and more. You can also try craft-brewed beers, ciders and cocktails, enjoy live music and Kids Fun Zone. Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. July 25 – July 26 The Wayback Festival brings free music, entertainment and fun. Details to come. Aug. 7 – Aug. 10 Check out the Kitchener Blues Festival at various stages across downtown Kitchener. Details to come. Aug. 17 A day of family fun at Kidspark. There will be music, entertainment, activities and more at Victoria Park. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants in the grand parade at Caribana Ignite in Kitchener, Ont. in Aug. 2025. (Jennifer K. Baker/CTV News) Participants in the grand parade at Caribana Ignite in Kitchener, Ont. in Aug. 2025. (Jennifer K. Baker/CTV News) Aug. 22 – Aug. 23 Caribana Ignite is back to bring a little Caribbean flair to downtown Kitchener. Music, dancing, colourful outfits and a parade. Details to come. Aug. 27 Downtown Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival. This free event is for pros and anyone else interested in trying out the sport. Details to come. Sept. 5 – Sept. 6 Endless Summer in Victoria Park. Details to come. Waterloo June 4 Free Pride event at Waterloo Public Square with live music, interactive booths, a caricature artist, Four All ice cream and Indigenous Drum Circle. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 18, July 16, August 20 Campfire get togethers in Waterloo Public Square with live music. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June – August Movies in the Park. Bring a blanket to watch free movies in Waterloo Park. The films start at sundown. Donations accepted for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. June 12 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off June 26 - 10 Things I Hate About You July 10 - Moana 2 July 17 - A Minecraft Movie July 24 - The Sound of Music Sing-a-long (60th Anniversary) August 7 - Flow August 14 - Ghostbusters August 21 - Lilo & Stitch June 14 Open Streets in Uptown Waterloo. Live performances, music, art market and more. 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. drone show Spectators take in a Canada Day drone show at Waterloo Park on July 1, 2023. (Adam Marsh/CTV Kitchener) July 1 Community Picnic in Waterloo Park. Food trucks, giant games, LED drone show and local artists. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 18 – July 20 Sun Life Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival will sound off at Waterloo City Hall. The free event features local and national talent. July 18 from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., July 19 from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., July 20 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 9 Day of Play in Waterloo Park. Art activities, games, adventures and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 21 – Aug 24 Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival returns to the city. Features a mix of local and international performers doing everything from acrobatics and firebreathers to comedians. Cambridge June 12 Pride Garden Party – GLAM AS YOU ARE garden party at Under the Whispering Pines (23 Meadowcreek Lane). At this ticketed event, party-goers can snack at grazing stations, pose for a professional portrait or visit a digital photo booth, dance with a DJ, stop by a glam station and create at a charm bar. 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 13 Cambridge Celebration of the Arts at city hall and Civic Square. Work from performing, visual and literary artists, with food and a vendor market. Free event. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 24 Strawberries and Ice Cream Music Jam at the Ted Wake 50+ Centre. A social event with guitar players, musicians and, of course, strawberries. $8 fee. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 1 Canada Day in Cambridge. Details to come.
