One of the best things about summer is the drool-worthy treats and yummy drinks you get to enjoy while out in the sun. That’s why we have made a guide of where to get the best festival grub in South Eastern Ontario.
*Keep this blog bookmarked and part of your Bucket List for the Summer! How many Festivals will you attend?
1. YGK Craft Beer Festival
When: Saturday, June 8
You can’t go wrong if there is beer involved, can you? Get your stretchy pants ready and keep some palate cleansers on hand so you can sample some bubbly local craft beer and drool over doubled layered poutine, creamy gelato and jerk chicken. Don’t forget to bring your wallet as there will be some awesome local artisans there selling one-of-a-kind goodies.
2. Uncork Canada
When: Saturday, June 15
If you are a lover of all things wine, you have to make your way over to Huff Arena in Picton this June. With hundreds of kinds of wines, ciders and meads from champion vineyards across Canada. Be the judge and taste test your way through the day. Your initial ticket provides you with 12 tastings, so choose wisely!
3. Fermentation Festival
When: Saturday, August 3
Come to try all kinds of fermented goodies including beers, wines, sauerkraut, pickles, chocolate and cheeses, as well as fresh produce to lighten your senses. Enjoy fun activities between shopping and snacking by joining any of the exciting activities including yoga sessions, a splash pad and fermentation information sessions.
4. Belleville Waterfront & Multicultural Festival
When: Thursday, July 11 – Sunday, July 14
Four stages of entertainment, mixed with buskers, arts and crafts, beer, internationally inspired foods and canine watersports and dog shows. This is a must-visit event that celebrates one of the things that makes Canada amazing by showcasing cultural diversity through everyone’s favourite thing – food.
5. Downtown Brockville “Street Eats”
When: Saturday, May 25
What goes best with food-truck treats? A battle of the bands! Street Eats is Brockville’s very own street festival and sidewalk sale, where you can bring your entire family to enjoy face painting, local shopping, bbq and music!
6. Island Breakfast
When: Wednesday, June 19 – Saturday, June 22
Enjoy a magical boat ride and breakfast on one of Brockville’s very own islands, Refugee Island. Grab the kids and meet at St. Lawrence Park and get a free shuttle to the island, where you will receive a delectable breakfast with coffee, pancakes and locally produced maple syrup and strawberries and take some time to explore this incredible island.
7. Brockville Ribfest
When: Thursday, August 8 – Sunday, August 11
Barbequed ribs, need we say more? And if fall-off-the-bone, smokey, savoury and sweet ribs aren’t enough to bring you to Brockville Ribfest, you can also enjoy a cold one from the beer tent, bring the children to enjoy the Kidz Zone and the Kids’n’Cop Fishing Derby and even show off your strength in an arm wrestling competition.
8. 1000 Islands Family Ribfest
When: Friday, June 28 – Sunday, June 30
Attendance is free, so bring extra friends and family to this sizzling summer festival. Like many of the great towns that make South Eastern Ontario, Gananoque Ribfest gives back to those in need with the money made from this food-tastic event. Enjoy sauce-slathered ribs and then watch local artists perform their talents before meeting some especially sweet farm animals that will warm your heart.
9. Beer, Bourbon, BBQ and Blues Festival
When: Saturday, July 13
Head over to Cornwall NAV centre for an exciting day full of craft beer, bluesy tunes, heart-warming bourbon and of course, barbeque delicacies. Whether you like chicken, pork, steak or you a grilled veg or two, you’ll find something to fill your belly at this delicious festival.
10. Cornwall Food Fest
When: Saturday, August 18
Three blocks of Cornwall’s lovely streets will be blocked off for this summer street party! If there is a food you can imagine, you are likely to find it while you explore Cornwall’s Food Fest. What makes this festival especially heartwarming is it is in support of Beyond 21, a program created to support adults with developmental disabilities.
11. Cornwall Ribfest
When: Thursday, July 15 – Sunday, July 28
Step into an enormous beer garden to sip on some good brews while you choose between watching live musicians show off their talents, trying award-winning open-flame cooked ribs, chicken and pulled pork and joining into the fun and games. What’s more, is that while you enjoy some great food and drinks, you are helping change the lives of Cornwall’s youth because of their partnership with The Optimist Club.
12. Poutine Feast
When: Thursday, August 8 – Sunday, August 11
A truly Canadian festival to fill your belly up this summer is Cornwall’s very own Poutine Feast. You will be dreaming of the creative and melty poutines you can eat at this festival, with several food trucks serving all kinds of sweet and savoury potato and cheesy delights.
13. Adult Beverage and Deep Fried Food Festival
When: Saturday, July 6
This year the Adult Beverage and Deep Fried Food Festival promises to bring the very best to attendees this year. You can expect to enjoy famous breweries including MacKinnon Brothers and Spearhead Brewing Company, as well as cideries, wineries and distilleries in the line-up, followed up with delicious fried food including FryWay 33 and The Churro Guy.
14. Kemptville Ribfest 2019
When: Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9
Pack a change of clothes and some towels for this trip to Kemptville for its 2019 Ribfest. There are promises of saucier, stickier, juicier ribs than ever before with options including smoked beef brisket, pulled pork, ribs and barbequed chicken – yum!
