Canada’s birthday is getting tastier for Chestermere residents.
After a successful inaugural event last year attended by more than 2,500 people according to the City, the Taste of Chestermere is coming back this Canada Day, offering local residents and visitors alike the chance to sample various culinary offerings.
The event is an initiative hosted by the City of Chestermere, in partnership with a number of local restaurants and food vendors, and offers residents a chance sample various dishes through the purchase of $3 “taster plates.”
City of Chestermere Economic Development Officer Tawndra Calhoun said the event – which runs from 4 to 11 p.m. at John Peake Park -– is a way for the municipality to support the local business community.
“We can’t take people to the restaurants, so we thought we’d bring the restaurants to the people,” she said. “We created this event with the intent of the business owners networking and mingling with the public, making their products aware to the general public and building those relationships.”
Restaurants and food vendors participating in the event include Boston Pizza, Yume Sushi, Pour Beer Market and Grill, the Canadian Brewhouse and Pizza Lite. Other vendors include COBS Bread Bakery and Karol’s Korner Kreations – a pickling business.
“A lot of people aren’t really aware of how many restaurants we have in town, and what kind of culinary offerings we have,” Calhoun said, adding the event also allows residents the opportunity to sample foods they might not otherwise be inclined to try.
“For a $3 small taste plate, they’re more likely to try it than going to the restaurant and having to order a full plate.”
A new addition this year will be libation tastings from local and nearby craft breweries and distilleries. For $3, attendees 18-and-up can purchase a four-ounce sample of seasonal and staple brews from Hawk Tail Brewery, High River Brewing Company, Origin Malting and Brewing, Township 24 and Burwood Distillery.
“We’re starting to see more and more of these businesses pop up in the region, which is great for the economy,” Calhoun said.
The Taste of Chestermere will complement the other Canada Day events at John Peake Park, including a pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m., live entertainment on the pavilion stage from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a market featuring creations from local artisans from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kid-friendly activities, such as old-fashioned games like three-legged racing and potato-sack hopping, will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a tug-of-war will be held at 1:30 p.m.
At 1:30 p.m., members of City council will cut a Canada Day cake at the library, and a Canadian-themed crafts event will run there from 1 to 4 p.m.
A fireworks display wraps things up at 11 p.m.
