Kitchener-Waterloo

Here's how to mark Remembrance Day in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County

Saturday is Remembrance Day. There are a number of in-person ceremonies taking place around the area.

All services are open to the public but if people aren't feeling well they're asked to stay home

A cement memorial dedicated to soldiers, with a Canadian and Ontario flag in front. The leaves are turning yellow on a tree beside the cenotaph.
Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held across Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County on Saturday. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Remembrance Day is on Saturday and there are a number of ceremonies happening around the area.

All the services are open to the public, although organizers advise that if people are not feeling well or are experiencing symptoms of cold, flu or COVID, to not attend.

Cambridge

There are three ceremonies in Cambridge.

  • Galt: The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. at the Galt Legion, travel down Water Street to Main Street bridge, then to the cenotaph. 
  • Preston: The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Preston Legion on Margaret Street, travel down Westminister Drive, King Street and Argyle Street to the cenotaph.
  • Hespeler: The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the cenotaph at the corner of Queen Street E. and Tannery St.

The city notes in the Galt area of Cambridge, there will be road closures from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the following streets:

  • Veteran's Way from Ainslie Street to Concession Street.
  • Walnut Street will be closed from Water Street to Ainslie Street, and from Ainslie Street to Wellington Street.
  • North Square and South Square will be closed from George Street to Grand Avenue.

As well, on-street parking won't be allowed along North Square and South Square from George Street to Grand Avenue, and along Walnut Street from Water Street to Ainslie Street from 6:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Kitchener

In Kitchener, the Royal Canadian Legion Fred Gies Branch 50 will hold its annual Remembrance Day ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The parade will start from Ontario Street and proceed along King Street and Frederick Street to the cenotaph on Duke Street.

Waterloo

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 530 will hold a ceremony at 10:45 a.m. at the Waterloo cenotaph, located at 100 Regina Street S.

The parade will make its way from Regina Street and Bridgeport Road at 10 a.m. to arrive at the cenotaph near city hall for a 10:45 a.m. service.

Three small planes in the sky
The Waterloo Warbirds will fly over much of Waterloo region and Guelph on Saturday. (Submitted by Waterloo Warbirds)

Waterloo Warbirds flyover

Starting at 10:30 a.m.

The Waterloo Warbirds will fly over much of the area Saturday morning. 

The T-33 Silver Star, L29 Delfin, and DH-115 Vampire will fly in formation over cenotaphs in New Hamburg, Stratford, Linwood, Elmira, Waterloo, Kitchener, Preston, and Galt. Their World War II Harvard Mk. IIB will fly over cenotaphs in Hespeler and Guelph before continuing on to fly over Homewood Health Centre and Woodlawn Memorial Park in Guelph, and Mount Hope Cemetery and Woodland Cemetery in Kitchener.

Derek Hammond, president of Waterloo Warbirds, said in a release that they hope the flights will be seen as a way to join communities to honour service members.

"We have immense appreciation for the sacrifice of those who serve and have served Canada in our militaries," Hammond said.

New Hamburg

The colour party will begin at 10:05 a.m. from the area of Huron Street and Waterloo Street, travel along Huron Street to the cenotaph beside the library to lay wreaths, then will continue to the New Hamburg Arena for the ceremony at 10:55 a.m.

A stone monument shows a female figure in front with her arms out holding two swords. On top, a female figure holds a tablet and a soldier is looking at the tablet.
A parade will go past Guelph's cenotaph, located on Woolwich Street at Eramosa Road, after Saturday's ceremony at the Sleeman Centre. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Guelph

There are two services in Guelph.

At 9 a.m., a service is held at McCrae House on Water Street.

Another service will be held at 10 a.m. at the Sleeman Centre.

After the service at the Sleeman Centre, the parade will march past the cenotaph, turn left along Wyndham Street, before ending on Farquhar Street.

People are welcome to take part in refreshments at the legion on Watson Parkway after the parade.

Elora

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the cenotaph located at 110 Metcalfe St.

Rockwood

The ceremony will be held at 10:55 a.m. at the Rockwood Cenotaph, located at Main Street S. and Guelph Street.

The parade will start at the Rockwood Post Office. Highway 7 will be temporarily closed during the ceremony.

Following the service, there will be refreshments at the Church Hall at St. John's Anglican Church on Main Street.

Watch from home on CBC

CBC News will be marking Remembrance Day on Saturday with special coverage from the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on TV, radio and online.

Coverage will start at 10 a.m.