Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: Nov. 1 to 3

It's November and it's going to feel like it this weekend with cooler temperatures than we've been used to in the forecast.

Negotiating Culture is an art exhibition from the Grand River Artist Collective. It runs Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 44 Gaukel St. in Kitchener.

The University of Waterloo's School of Architecture in Cambridge is celebrating 20 years since moving to the city and there will be a community open house on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with self-guided tours, entertainment, a community marketplace and treats.

Propeller Plays is a new play showcase by Green Light Arts. It runs Friday at 7 p.m. at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts in downtown Kitchener. The event is free but people need to reserve a ticket.

Dare I say it … there's A Very Merry Market (their name, not mine!) on at RIM Park in Waterloo Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There's also a handmade market and bake sale by Workside in Guelph. It runs Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. George's Anglican Church.

For those who want to squeeze out a bit more Halloween, there's the Preston Pumpkin Walk Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Central Park, where people can place their jack-o-lanterns in the park for one last chance to shine.

There's also a Pumpkin Promenade in Guelph at Tytler Public School from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be prizes for best carved pumpkins, a carving demonstration, live music, games, food and an illuminated pumpkin trail.

The Kitchener Rangers play host to the Sudbury Wolves Friday night at The Aud, then the Saginaw Spirit come to town Sunday afternoon.

The Guelph Storm are on the road this weekend, first in Ottawa on Friday, then Kingston on Saturday.

If you're driving, here are some local gas prices:

Wild Writers Literary Festival

Friday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Various locations in Waterloo

This festival starts off with a panel discussion about the meaning of truth and consequence with authors Tanya Talaga and Canisia Lubrin.

Saturday has the bulk of the events with a number of panel discussions, speakers and workshops on topics ranging from understanding the child reader to how to get an agent and how to write all genres including horror, fiction, memoirs, travel and poetry.

The festival ends Sunday with a brunch and a moderated conversation with authors Helen Humphreys, David Huebert and Carol Off.

• Wild Writers Literary Festival website

Día de los Muertos

Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Various locations in downtown Kitchener

This event brings together different downtown Kitchener businesses to mark Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). There will be events at the Kitchener Market in the morning, including food tastings, crafts, storytelling and a parade led by the Mexican Folk Ballet. 

In the afternoon at Vogelsang Green, there will be live performances by Mariachi Los Amigos and an artisan market.

There will be live music at other businesses in downtown as well as a guided walking tour.

• Downtown Kitchener event page

Cheecho's Sweet 16

Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

Cheecho, a green-cheeked Conure parrot, will celebrate his 16th birthday. There will be punch, crafts and cake, plus people will sing to the bird every hour. There's also a meet-and-greet with Cheecho and parrot friends Skye and Joey.

• Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory event page

WATCH: CBC K-W was at Cheecho's 15th birthday party: 

Meet Cheecho, the 15 year old parrot living inside a Cambridge, Ont. greenhouse

1 year ago

Duration 2:11

Cheecho the parrot is celebrating his 15th birthday. He has lived at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory for all his life and staff celebrated his milestone year by throwing him a birthday bash. CBC's Aastha Shetty met up with Cheecho's handler, Haley Yorke, at his party where the birthday boy was perched on a little branch, looking like something out of a fairytale, surrounded by a flutter of butterflies, greenery and a gushing waterfall behind him.

Kitchener Comic Con

Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kitchener's city hall

In its ninth year, Kitchener Comic Con will have something for every geek and fan, from cosplay to comics, an indie film festival and a Jurassic Park-themed play area.

There's a Degrassi reunion of Pat Mastroianni (Joey Jeremiah), Stacie Mistysyn (Caitlyn Ryan), and Stefan Brogren (Archie "Snake" Simpson) who will be at the event both days. They'll take part in a panel and also do a meet-and-greet with fans.

Off The Ropes Studio, a female-owned professional wrestling academy in Kitchener, will be on hand, as well as Toby Proctor (voice of Darien, Prince Darien, The Moonlight Knight and Tuxedo Mask in the anime series Sailor Moon) and "PJ" Phil Guerrero (former host of The Zone and other YTV shows).

The event is free to get in but there are VIP tickets available.

• Kitchener Comic Con website

Guelph Book Bash Festival

Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Guelph Farmers' Market

More than 30 authors are expected to attend to sell their books and chat with people. There will also be micro-presses, bookstores and literacy organizations.

There will be storytelling and free books for children, plus a leave-a-book/take-a-book table, live music and food.

The event is put on by the Vocamus Writers Community.

• Vocamus Writers Community event page