Brews & Food Fest returns to St. Marys: a toast to local flavour and community spirit

People stand outside the Powerhouse Brewing Company to try their craft beers at the 2024 Brews & Food Festival.

By Julia Paul

On Sunday June 8, the Rotary Club of St. Marys will once again raise a glass to community, craft and connection with the return of its beloved Brews & Food Fest, running from 12-6 p.m. at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

First launched in 2019 by a small group of craft-beer enthusiasts within the Rotary Club, the event has grown from a local experiment to a signature regional attraction.

“We believed St. Marys could support a craft-beer festival, and it turns out we were right,” said Mark Oliver, president of the Rotary Club of St. Marys. “We had 500 attendees that first year, which exceeded all our expectations.”

Though the pandemic paused the festival in 2020 and 2021, it returned stronger than ever in 2022 with over 800 attendees. This year’s edition promises to be the biggest and most diverse yet, featuring an expanded lineup of Ontario craft beer, wine, cider, spirits and even non-alcoholic options.

“The festival has now caught the attention of brewers across the province,” Oliver said. “This year, we had vendors reaching out to us before we were even ready to launch. It really speaks to the reputation the festival has earned.”

Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of beverage and food vendors, with a complete lineup available at www.brewsandfood.ca. On the entertainment front, the Waterstreet Blues Band will headline with three live sets inside the licensed area, included with paid admission.

Food trucks, a festival staple, will be serving up everything from street eats to gourmet creations.

“There’s something for everyone,” Oliver said. “Whether you’re here for the drinks, the food, or the music, the experience is all about celebrating local craftsmanship.”

The Brews & Food Fest is more than a fun day out; it’s also a powerful fundraiser. Proceeds support the Rotary’s multi-year commitment to the All Wheels Park on James Street, a community space that promotes inclusivity and active living.

“We’re incredibly thankful to the Town of St. Marys and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for their continued support,” said Oliver. “This event is an all-hands-on-deck operation for our members, and we couldn’t do it without our volunteers and partners.”

The festival draws a diverse crowd.

“Craft-beer fans, foodies, music lovers; you’ll find them all here,” said Oliver. “Interestingly, 58 per cent of attendees are women, and we see everyone from their 20s to their 60s enjoying the festival.”

This year’s event takes place one week earlier than usual – not on Father’s Day, as in previous years. Another welcome change is a new ticket platform with no additional fees at checkout.

“We’ve held the line on pricing and made it easier for people to buy online,” Oliver added.

Tickets include a souvenir glass and three sample tokens, with more tokens available for purchase onsite. Children under five get in free, while accompanied minors (ages five to 18) can attend with a special ticket. As always, no ticket is needed to enjoy the food trucks.

“We hope people enjoy a relaxing time with good friends, great music and amazing local flavours,” said Oliver. “The festival is a celebration of Ontario’s best and of the community spirit that makes St. Marys so special.”

For details, tickets and vendor info, visit www.brewsandfood.ca.