No need to pack provisions for this first-ever Ontario festival. Big Feastival is taking over the same fair grounds as WayHome (Burl’s Creek, Oro-Medonte) in August and will combine classic summer pursuits; food festivals, music festivals, and camping, all into one single weekend.
Here’s what to look forward to as Big Feastival approaches:
The Big Kitchen Stage
Top chefs from across Canada will run sessions all day on Saturday and Sunday to demonstrate cooking skills and techniques live on stage. Among the many chefs on the schedule, look forward to appearances by Chuck Hughes, Danny Smiles, Rob Gentile, Derek Dammann, Vikram Vij, Dennis the Prescott, Michael Hunter, Matt Dean Pettit, Victor Barry, Alexandra Feswick, Matthew DeMille, Aimée Wimbush Bourque, Ted Corrado, many of whom are also running classes at Big Feastival’s hands-on Cooking School.
Table Sessions
Get up close and personal with top chefs and experts (including Rob Gentile, Vikram Vij, Chuck Hughes, and others) as small groups gather around big harvest tables for intimate, hands-on demos, talks and tastings.
Street Food
On the roster of participating food vendors, look forward to Black Sheep Cannery, Buster’s Sea Cove, Calii Love, Gourmet Gringos, Heirloom, Homestead Artisan Bakery, Jack & Lil’s, Queen Margarita, (and the list keeps going), all offering up an astounding selection of menus including child-friendly portions.
Bars
Wine, beer, cider, and spirit purveyors are setting up bars on festival grounds so you can raise a glass with Creemore Springs, go rosé all day with Rosehall Run, or get spirited with selections from Kinsip Distillery (to name just a few).
Producers Market
Shop for artisan food and drink at this marketplace showcasing everything from cheese and bread to artisan drinks and scratch-made fudge. Participating vendors include Beekeeper’s Naturals, Good Food for Good, Martin’s Sweet Farm, Melanie Robinson Catering, Montforte Dairy, Moss Berry Farm, Ocean Wise, and Sarafino.
Cheese Cave
The Cheese Boutique, ACE Bakery and Adamo Estate Winery team up at Big Feastival for this party within a party featuring cheese tastings with all the fixings.
Food Hub
Because there just can’t be too many food vendors on Big Feastival grounds, this hub will showcase products from ACE Bakery, Eva’s Original Chimneys, Mighty Fine Brine, Tori’s Bakeshop, Wafel Bar, and so much more.
Music
Weezer, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, and The Strumbellas headline, meanwhile other acts on the bill include OK Go, De La Soul, MAGIC!, Wintersleep, Basia Bulat, Dragonette, Choir! Choir! Choir!, The Elwins, Dwayne Gretzky, and more.
For Kids
Among the many family friendly activities, find Fred Penner on the main stage, a big top, fun fair, farm park, workshops, lawn games, silent disco, and more.
Hope you’re hungry!
Big Feastival
Where: Burl’s Creek, Oro-Medonte
When: August 18 to 20
Price: Tickets from $85
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram