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From cityscapes to countryside escapes, consider this your gateway to curiosity.
06/23/2026
The sun slips below the rooftops, the patio lights flicker on, and Uptown takes on a different rhythm.
Every Thursday evening this summer, Uptown Waterloo Night Market fills the area around Waterloo Public Library with local makers, sweet treats, live music, community programming, and the kind of discoveries that only happen when you decide to wander a little longer. From handmade goods to unexpected finds, every corner offers something new to explore.
Grab a friend, bring your curiosity, and spend an evening exploring one of Waterloo Region's favourite summer traditions: https://ow.ly/Wjl350ZfoPP
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The days stretch a little longer. The patios fill up. Music drifts through the evening air.
Summer has arrived in Waterloo Region.
From paddling quiet rivers to cheering at festivals, from family adventures to late nights under the stars, the season ahead is packed with reasons to get out and explore. Every week brings something new. Every corner of the region offers a story waiting to unfold.
The only question is where you'll start: https://ow.ly/Pm2v50Zfjzo
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06/21/2026
The alarm goes off early. Long before the first meeting, the first tee time, or the first whistle of the day.
Across Waterloo Region, dads are already at work. Packing lunches. Teaching life lessons. Fixing what’s broken. Cheering the loudest. Lending a hand when it’s needed most. Their names might not always make the headlines, but their impact is woven into every corner of our community. Behind thriving businesses, growing families, and countless everyday successes, there’s often a dad helping make it all possible.
This Father’s Day, we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepdads, and father figures whose strength, wisdom, and quiet dedication help power Waterloo Region.
Looking for a way to celebrate today? Browse our events calendar to discover Father’s Day events happening across Waterloo Region: https://ow.ly/JUVL50ZeUE6
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The last week of school is here, and summer is officially settling into Waterloo Region.
From outdoor concerts and roller skating to splash pads, baseball, lacrosse, art camps, trivia nights, live music, and community events, this first full week of summer is already making the most of the longer days.
Monday, June 22
🧘 Riverside Yoga in the Sculpture Garden @ Cambridge Sculpture Garden | 2:00 PM
Stretch, breathe, and recharge beside the Grand River surrounded by public art and beautiful summer scenery.
🎺 Music Monday with the Kitchener Musical Society Band @ Weber Park | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a free evening of concert band favourites and community music.
🛼 Summer Roller Skate @ Carl Zehr Square | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Roll into summer with outdoor skating, music, and community fun in Downtown Kitchener.
Tuesday, June 23
🔬 Iron Willed: Women in STEM @ City of Waterloo Museum | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Explore the stories of groundbreaking women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities.
💦 Family Splash Jam @ Carl Zehr Square | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Splash pads, games, music, face painting, and family fun return to Downtown Kitchener.
🕊️ Project Ploughshares 50th Anniversary Exhibit @ Grebel Gallery | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Discover five decades of peace advocacy, research, art, and archival materials from this influential local organization.
💧 Research Talks: Water Crisis in Waterloo Region @ Kitchener Public Library | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Join experts, researchers, and community leaders for an engaging discussion about water sustainability and the future of local water systems.
🎸 Reverend Horton Heat @ Maxwell's | 7:00 PM
Psychobilly legends Reverend Horton Heat bring their high-energy blend of rockabilly, punk, surf, and country to Waterloo Region.
💃 Dance It Off Tuesdays: West Coast Swing @ Waterloo Public Square | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Learn partner dance basics before hitting the dance floor during this free outdoor summer series.
Wednesday, June 24
🎨 Paint Night @ Bobby O'Brien's | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Create a colourful "Summer in the City" painting while enjoying a relaxed creative evening.
🐾 Paint Your Pet @ KW Humane Society | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Turn your favourite pet photo into a cartoon-style masterpiece while supporting local animals.
🏳️🌈 Pride Trivia Night @ TWB Brewing | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Celebrate Pride Month with trivia covering icons, history, pop culture, and more.
🥍 Kitchener Kodiaks vs Mimico Toronto Beaches @ The Aud | 7:30 PM – 9:05 PM
Catch another exciting night of Junior A lacrosse action.
Thursday, June 25
⚽ Germany vs Ecuador Watch Party @ Alpine Club | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Watch international soccer action with fellow supporters while enjoying food and drink specials.
🫖 Alice & Wonderland High Tea @ Solarien Café | 6:00 PM
Step into a whimsical themed high tea experience inspired by the classic story.
🎶 Indie Music Night @ Maxwell's | 7:00 PM
A lineup of emerging local artists takes the stage for an intimate evening of live music.
💃 Salsa in the Square @ Waterloo Public Square | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Free outdoor salsa lessons, performances, and social dancing continue into the summer season.
🎬 Movies in the Park @ Waterloo Park | 9:00 PM
Bring a blanket and enjoy a family-friendly movie under the stars.
Friday, June 26
🚗 Cruising on King @ Downtown Kitchener | 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Classic cars, live entertainment, food vendors, and summer vibes take over King Street.
💦 PD Day Camp: Splash into Summer @ Waterloo Region Museum | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
A full day of water-themed games, museum exploration, and summer fun for kids.
🔨 Schneider Haus Summer Kick-Off Camp @ Schneider Haus | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Creative activities, discovery spaces, and hands-on experiences help kick off summer break.
🤖 STEMOTICS PD Day Camp | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Kids explore robotics, coding, engineering, and digital creativity through hands-on learning.
🎨 PD Day Art Camp @ Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Young artists explore exhibitions and create original artwork in this immersive camp experience.
🏳️🌈 Q***r Youth Art Club @ Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
A free creative drop-in space for q***r and trans youth to connect and create.
🌸 West Haus Summer Social @ West Haus KW | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Enjoy floral installations, tarot readings, mocktails, tattoos, and wellness-inspired summer experiences.
⚡ Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince Trivia @ EVO Kitchen & Bar | 6:00 PM
Test your wizarding knowledge during another instalment of this popular trivia series.
🎨 Paint 'n Praise | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Outdoor Christian karaoke and painting combine for a creative summer evening.
🎶 Momma's Kitchen Live @ Gaslight District | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Enjoy a free outdoor live music performance in Downtown Cambridge.
🎤 Live Music at Stockyards: Jessie T | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Country-pop artist Jessie T returns for an evening of live music and summer favourites.
🎸 Indie Rock Night @ Maxwell's | 7:00 PM
A showcase of local indie rock talent featuring multiple Waterloo Region bands.
🎷 Patio Music Series: Funk 'n Circumstance @ TWB Brewing | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Instrumental funk, jazz, R&B, and classic favourites take over the patio.
🎭 You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown @ KW Little Theatre | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Catch another performance of the beloved Peanuts musical.
If we missed your event, drop it in the comments and let the community know what's happening across Waterloo Region this week.
More in our events calendar: https://ow.ly/7zkb50ZeUyI
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06/19/2026
The music begins just as the sun starts its slow ascent across the fields.
At Moore Farms Ayr, summer unfolds one sweet moment at a time. Rows of berries stretch toward the horizon, baskets fill with fresh-picked fruit, and the pace of life softens beneath the open sky. Throughout the season, the farm comes alive with Live Music & Vendor Markets, where local makers, musicians, and visitors gather to celebrate the simple pleasures of good food, good company, and a countryside day well spent. It is the kind of place where an afternoon visit quietly turns into a memory you'll find yourself revisiting long after summer has passed.
Follow the Fields & Flavours Trail to Moore Farms and discover why some of Waterloo Region's sweetest moments happen just beyond the city limits: https://explorewaterloo.ca/fields-flavours-trail/
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Summer has arrived.
The season begins with festivals, trains, live music, Pride celebrations, baseball, comic conventions, art fairs, outdoor dancing, cultural celebrations, and enough community events to keep the first weekend of summer moving from sunrise to midnight.
Saturday, June 20
🚂 Father's Ride FREE Heritage Hopper @ Waterloo Central Railway | 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM
Dad rides free with the family on this heritage train journey through Waterloo Region's Mennonite countryside and receives a special Father's Day gift.
🎨 St. Jacobs Art & Craft Fair | 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Browse local art, crafts, food vendors, and karaoke during this outdoor community market.
🦸 KW Comic Con | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cosplayers, artists, vendors, creators, and fans come together for a full day of comics, pop culture, and fandom fun.
🌸 Painting Peonies from Life with Yelena Lamm | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Develop your floral painting skills while working from fresh peony arrangements in this immersive oil painting workshop.
🎭 Cambridge Celebrates the Arts | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Explore visual art, live performances, literary artists, food vendors, and community creativity during this annual arts festival.
🐄 Eby Manor Open House | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Enjoy wagon rides, barn tours, local vendors, and a day on one of Waterloo Region's beloved family farms.
🎶 Waterloo Region Community Bandfest @ Waterloo Park | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
A full day of free performances from community bands across the region, plus food trucks and vendors.
🌎 Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival @ Victoria Park | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Celebrate the cultures that make Waterloo Region unique through food, music, dance, workshops, and family activities.
🫖 High Seas Teas @ Castle Kilbride | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Enjoy tea, treats, and a guided tour inspired by the museum's Vogue Voyages exhibit.
🎭 You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown @ KW Little Theatre | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The beloved Peanuts gang comes to life in this family-friendly musical production.
📻 90s CXC Live Radio Broadcast @ TWB Brewing | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Enjoy a nostalgic afternoon of 90s Canadian music as Midtown Radio broadcasts live from the patio.
🐦 Bird Bingo @ TWB Brewing | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Test your bird knowledge during a unique bingo night hosted alongside local nature enthusiasts.
💃 Latin Music on Main | 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Dance outdoors in Downtown Galt with Latin music, lessons, and summer-night energy.
🎭 Burlesque & Variety Show @ EVO Kitchen & Bar | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
An evening of burlesque, drag, comedy, magic, belly dance, and variety entertainment.
🎸 The Almost Hip: Baden's Biggest Night | 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
The Almost Hip and Unleashed headline one of Baden's biggest community fundraising events of the year.
😂 Big Funny Comedy in Ayr @ ABE ERB | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Stand-up comedians from CBC, Netflix, and Just For Laughs bring the laughs to Ayr.
👻 Ghost Walks @ Castle Kilbride | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Explore Castle Kilbride after dark and hear stories of spirits, mysteries, and local legends.
🛼 Roll with Pride | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Celebrate Pride Month on wheels with skating, music, and community at Retro Rollers.
🎸 Bon Jovi Forever Live @ Dallas Nightclub | 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Sing along to classic Bon Jovi hits during this high-energy tribute concert.
🎶 Riddim N Wine @ Tapestry Hall | 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
A night of reggae, dancehall, soca, and classic Caribbean favourites in an upscale setting.
🎤 Cash Cobain Live @ RARE Nightclub | 10:00 PM
Cash Cobain makes his first Canadian appearance for a late-night takeover in Waterloo Region.
Sunday, June 21
🦸 KW Comic Con | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
A second day of creators, vendors, cosplay, collectibles, and fandom celebration.
🎨 Dundee Artisan Festival | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Shop handcrafted goods, enjoy live music, food trucks, yoga, children's activities, and artisan demonstrations.
🎻 Afternoon Garden Concert: Tea for Two @ McDougall Cottage | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Traditional folk music fills the cottage garden during this intimate summer concert.
🚂 Father's Day Brunch on the Rails @ Waterloo Central Railway | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Treat Dad to a scenic countryside train ride paired with a hearty chef-prepared lunch.
⚾ Kitchener Panthers vs Barrie Baycats @ Jack Couch Park | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Catch Intercounty Baseball League action as the Panthers host Barrie.
🌿 Nature Therapy Workshop @ St. Jacobs Village | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Create a terrarium, plant symbolic intentions, and reconnect with nature through mindfulness and creativity.
🎤 Drop In Pop Choir @ Café Clementina | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Learn a new song and enjoy a welcoming community singing experience.
☀️ Summer Solstice Sound Journey, Tea & Botanical Rituals @ Lavender Lane Wellness Centre | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Celebrate the longest day of the year through sound healing, tea, reflection, and botanical creation.
🥍 Kitchener Kodiaks vs Mimico Mountaineers @ The Aud | 7:00 PM – 9:05 PM
Cheer on the Kodiaks during an exciting evening of Junior A lacrosse action.
If we missed your event, drop it in the comments and let the community know what's happening across Waterloo Region this first weekend of summer.
More in our events calendar: https://explorewaterloo.ca/events/list/?tribe-bar-date=2026-06-20
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06/15/2026
Some stories begin in vineyards.
Rows of vines stretch across Ontario's countryside, soaking up long summer days before finding their way into glasses poured around tables filled with conversation, laughter and good food. Ontario Wine Week is a celebration of the growers, winemakers, chefs and hospitality teams who bring those stories to life.
Here in Waterloo Region, you'll find special pairings, sommelier selections and featured pours all week long, making it the perfect time to discover a new favourite vintage or revisit a familiar one.
Raise a glass to Ontario Wine Week and let curiosity lead the next pour: https://ow.ly/OQqt50ZbRsz
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Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa | ChefD | Borealis Grille & Bar - Kitchener
06/14/2026
They've carved valleys, powered mills, connected communities and carried stories for centuries.
Today, they carry canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and curious travellers looking for a different view of Waterloo Region.
From the winding Grand River to the Speed, Nith and Conestogo, our waterways invite you to slow down, drift a little and discover what waits around the next bend. Some adventures come with paddles. Others arrive with hiking boots, horses or a picnic basket.
This Canadian Rivers Day, spend a little time following the water. Chances are, it'll lead you somewhere memorable: https://ow.ly/NBNm50ZaEOm
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Grand River Conservation Authority | Canadian Heritage Rivers / Rivières du patrimoine canadien | Parks Canada
The final week of spring is here.
Before summer officially arrives, Waterloo Region is filling the calendar with outdoor movies, baseball, yoga, live music, festivals, dance floors, workshops, community celebrations, and plenty of reasons to stay out a little longer.
Monday, June 15
🧘 Riverside Yoga in the Sculpture Garden @ Cambridge Sculpture Garden | 6:00 PM
Stretch, breathe, and unwind beside the Grand River surrounded by art, nature, and summer evening calm.
🛼 Summer Roller Skate @ Carl Zehr Square | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Roll into summer with outdoor skating, music, rentals, and community fun under the evening sky.
🎪 Water Circus Nautilus | Various Times
Cirque Italia’s aquatic spectacular combines aerial artistry, acrobatics, and a massive travelling water stage.
Tuesday, June 16
💦 Family Splash Jam @ Carl Zehr Square | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Splash pads, games, music, face painting, and family fun return to Downtown Kitchener.
🌊 Big Splash Waterpark Launch Event @ Bingemans | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Be among the first to experience the new Typhoon Twister waterslide while enjoying games, giveaways, music, and summer celebrations.
🤠 Beginner Line Dancing Class | 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM
Learn the basics of line dancing during this beginner-friendly drop-in class.
🎨 Social Art at The Rabbid Fox | 6:30 PM
Create a colourful "Little Miracles" canvas painting in a relaxed social setting.
🔮 A Psychic Convergence @ Fireside Haven | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Experience mediumship, astrology, tarot, and spiritual insight during this intimate evening event.
🖌️ Sip & Pour @ Block Three Brewing | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Experiment with acrylic pour painting techniques while creating a one-of-a-kind abstract artwork.
🎨 Paint Nite: Magic Garden Cat | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Paint a whimsical feline masterpiece during a fun and social creative night out.
⭐ Outdoor Movie Night: Smurfs @ Gaslight District | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Catch a free family-friendly movie on Canada’s largest outdoor screen of its kind.
🎭 This Is My V***a | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
A powerful blend of storytelling, dance, and cultural reflection exploring body literacy and self-acceptance.
💃 Dance It Off Tuesdays: East Coast Swing & Live Music @ Waterloo Public Square | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Learn swing dance basics before dancing to live big band music in the heart of Uptown Waterloo.
Wednesday, June 17
🫖 Summertime Cream Tea @ McDougall Cottage | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Enjoy tea, scones, preserves, and a relaxed afternoon in one of Cambridge’s historic gems.
👧 The Ponytail Academy: Beers & Braids Workshop | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Learn practical ponytails, buns, and braids in a supportive workshop designed with dads and partners in mind.
🎶 Hops & High Notes @ TWB Brewing | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Enjoy opera and musical theatre favourites performed by local talent in a casual brewery setting.
🎤 Community Sing-Along | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Spend an evening singing favourite songs from the 1960s through today with local choir members.
Thursday, June 18
🃏 Euchre Tournament @ Arthur Street Kitchen & Bar | 6:30 PM
A friendly evening of cards, competition, and community for Euchre enthusiasts.
🎨 Tote Bag Painting @ Sweet Caroline’s | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Paint a custom tote bag while enjoying treats and drinks in a creative social atmosphere.
🎶 Slit Barn Sessions: Danny Michel | 7:00 PM
Award-winning Canadian musician Danny Michel brings his storytelling and songs to an intimate barn setting.
⚾ Kitchener Panthers vs Brantford Red Sox @ Jack Couch Park | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Catch Intercounty Baseball League action under the summer evening sky.
🎵 Musical Bingo: Back to the 80s @ EVO Kitchen & Bar | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Three playlists packed with iconic 80s hits fuel this nostalgic musical bingo night.
🎤 Hespeler’s Got Talent | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Local performers compete for cash prizes and community bragging rights.
💃 Salsa in the Square @ Waterloo Public Square | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Free outdoor salsa lessons, performances, and social dancing return for another summer evening.
🎸 Bradley Hale Live @ Room 47 | 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Enjoy an intimate evening of country music with Bradley Hale and special guest Janna Leduc.
🎬 Movies in the Park @ Waterloo Park | 9:00 PM
Bring a blanket and enjoy a family-friendly movie beneath the stars.
Friday, June 19
🫖 High Seas Teas @ Castle Kilbride | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Enjoy tea, treats, and a guided tour inspired by the museum’s Vogue Voyages exhibit.
🍔 Township of Wellesley Backyard BBQ | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Road hockey, touch-a-truck, live music, fireworks, food, and family fun come together for this annual community celebration.
🌶️ Hespeler Hot Wing Challenge | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Contestants battle increasingly spicy wings while the crowd controls the chaos for a chance at a $500 prize.
🎨 Painting Peonies from Life with Yelena Lamm | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Explore expressive floral oil painting techniques using fresh peonies as inspiration.
🎭 Cambridge Celebrates the Arts | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
A two-day celebration featuring visual artists, performers, literary artists, food vendors, and community creativity.
🌮 Tacofest 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tacos, craft beer, live entertainment, and community spirit return for one of Waterloo Region’s favourite summer festivals.
🏛️ Nostalgia of Cambridge Walking Tour | 6:30 PM
Explore the architecture, businesses, and stories that shaped historic Galt.
🎶 Momma’s Kitchen Live @ Gaslight District | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Enjoy a free outdoor live music performance in the heart of Downtown Cambridge.
💃 Waterloo Salsa Bachata Festival | 7:00 PM
Workshops, performances, and social dancing bring together dancers from across Ontario and beyond.
🎸 Patio Music Series: Better Than Nothing @ TWB Brewing | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
This energetic young local band delivers crowd favourites from multiple generations.
💘 Retro Speed Dating (30–45) @ TWB Brewing | 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Meet new people the old-fashioned way through structured face-to-face conversations.
🎭 You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown @ KW Little Theatre | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
The Peanuts gang returns in this charming family-friendly musical.
🤠 Line Dance Party @ Remix Swing | 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Line dance lessons followed by a social dance party open to all experience levels.
🪩 Friday Night Dance Party @ EVO Kitchen & Bar | 9:00 PM
A high-energy night of dance music, throwbacks, and crowd favourites.
If we missed your event, drop it in the comments and let the community know what’s happening across Waterloo Region this final week of spring.
More in our events calendar: https://explorewaterloo.ca/events/list/?tribe-bar-date=2026-06-15
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06/12/2026
The milk arrives in a glass bottle. The story begins long before that.
Next Saturday, the gates swing open at Eby Manor Ltd. for one of Waterloo Region's favourite farm traditions. Families will climb aboard wagon rides, wander through the barns, meet the farm's famous Guernsey cows, and discover the people and care behind every bottle. It's a chance to step beyond the grocery shelf and onto the farm itself, where generations of hard work have turned a dairy operation into a local institution. Admission is just $5 per car, making it one of the simplest ways to spend a summer afternoon in the countryside.
Some farms welcome visitors. Others welcome you into their story.
Learn more about Eby Manor's Open House: https://ebymanor.ca/news/Open-House-2026
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