Roughly 1,800 people came out to the Ignatius Jesuit Centre Sunday under glorious sunny skies to try some local food, learn some new food skills and have a great time.
The Taste Real Local Food Fest is in its 14th year, the past few held at Ignatius. Last year it poured rain. This year the cars just kept rolling up.
The event featured several local restaurants offering local food, music, children's areas, rock wall climbing, demonstrations, a beer garden and a series of workshops on such things as bread making, cider making, sausage making, fermenting and bee keeping.
"We have over 50 vendors and exhibitors," said coordinator Christina Mann. "The whole purpose is to connect, to educate and to celebrate,"
"Connecting people with local food sources in their community: farmers, restaurants, then connecting people with food skills that they may have forgotten or never learned."
There was even a butter tart eating contest, one for the adults (no hands!) and one for children. There were also hands-on displays, information booths and tours of the Ignatius orchard.
"We have a really great local food network in this region. It's very strong and it's very tight, so this is an opportunity to bring people together, have them all in one spot and celebrate," Mann said.
Vendor food offerings were priced and portioned to help people experience as much as possible.
"It's more about making the connections," Mann said. "It' low key. People spend a few hours here and mill about. Vendors want to talk."
Wendy Carlisle said she and her family have come the the event the past few years.
"It's just a neat family event," said Carlisle, there with her husband and two young children.
"There's something for everyone and you get to try some things you never see anywhere else," she said.
