Festival brings new vibrancy to Kitchener’s festival scene
Baby Boomers had rock’n’roll. Gen X’ers had hip hop and punk. Now, millennials have electronic dance music. Exploding in popularity over the past decade, it is the fastest-growing music genre today. Major cities in Europe and North America have focused on building a strong music and festival scene to both attract tourism and to give citizens vibrant experiences close to home..
Kitchener’s music and festival scene has expanded beyond its well known blues and rock shows to include EverAfter Music Festival – an annual summer event that attracts tens of thousands of people to the city for a three day electronic dance festival. Grammy award winning DJ’s like ZEDD and Skrillex headlined the 2016 show,with over 20 other well-known artists. When asked why Kitchener was chosen as the event destination, event organizers unanimously said “the venue.”
When looking for the perfect space to host a massive, high-octane crowd and world renowned DJ’s, the event organizers had a specific vision. This vision far exceeded any usual concert experience as they sought to create an unforgettable, three day celebration for festival goers. With campgrounds, beach volleyball courts, water slides and more, Bingemans was the perfect place. With an expansive park setting not far from the city’s downtown, event organizers expanded the festival experience for concert-goers, including carnival rides, food trucks, games and a gauntlet.
Bingemans Conference and Event Centre,. a family-owned company, has long been an attraction in Kitchener. Over the past 50 years, and most recently under the direction of president, Mark Bingeman, the venue has adapted and grown to meet the changing needs and desires of both citizens and tourists, evolving into one of the premiere entertainment hubs of the Waterloo Region.
“Kitchener has a well established reputation as a blues and rock festival destination,” says the city’s manager of special events, Jeff Young. “The addition of festivals like EverAfter Musical Festival allows us to entertain new audiences, and makes the city a more vibrant and exciting place for visitors and residents alike. Having world-renowned artists performing in Kitchener – whether Blues, Rock or Electronic – is one more way we are making the city a compelling place to be.”