Stratford Makers Market Food Fest returns

Abby Rivers, Rosalie Preikschas and Sara Clarke smile in front of Stratford City Hall. They are welcoming all lovers of food to the 2026 Food Fest at the Stratford Rotary Complex on March 21.

A celebration of local food, community connection and charitable giving is returning to Stratford this spring. The Stratford Makers Market will host its second annual Food Fest on Saturday, March 21 at the Stratford Rotary Complex, offering residents and visitors a chance to shop, sample and savour an impressive range of Ontario-made food products – all while supporting a local cause.

Organized by the Stratford Makers Market team – Sara Clarke, Rosalie Preikschas and Abby Rivers – Food Fest is designed for everyone, from families and food lovers to tourists and community members eager to support local businesses. The one-day event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the fully accessible Community Hall at the Stratford Rotary Complex, chosen for its size, accessibility and ample free parking.

Food Fest brings together a carefully curated mix of food vendors offering everything from hot meals to take-home treats. Shoppers can expect a wide variety of options, including tacos, pierogies, bao, soft pretzels, frozen pizzas, frozen beef, breads, pies, desserts, tea, coffee, spices, sauces, jams, pickled products, cannoli, candy, popcorn and more. The goal, organizers say, was to create the most diverse food-only market possible. Fresh vegetables are the one exception, with attendees encouraged to visit the Stratford Farmers’ Market earlier that morning.

What sets Food Fest apart from other regional food events is its focus on local Ontario food businesses, all gathered in one space. Vendors are selected through a juried process that prioritizes quality, variety and minimal category overlap, with an emphasis on supporting Stratford and Perth County businesses whenever possible.

Organizers said the event grew out of demand.  Nearly half of the applications for its Christmas Market were food vendors, and the feedback from the first Food Fest was overwhelmingly positive.

The Stratford Makers Market has been hosting community markets in the city for four years, traditionally centred around Easter and Christmas. Following the success of last year’s inaugural Food Fest, the team decided to replace the Easter Market with Food Fest going forward.

While the day is all about food, the impact extends beyond shopping. Entry is by cash donation, with all proceeds going to the House of Blessing in Stratford. Since 2022, Stratford Makers Market events have contributed more than $90,000 back into the community, and the goal for this year’s Food Fest is to raise at least $5,000 for the local charity.

The event is family-friendly, with a small kids’ area offering colouring and sensory play items, and vendors providing vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Organizers encourage first-time attendees to come hungry and plan to spend at least an hour exploring the market and enjoying lunch.

Updates, vendor spotlights and event details will be shared through the Stratford Makers Market’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Vendor applications for this year are full, but businesses interested in future markets can sign up for the newsletter at stratfordmakersmarket.com. Community members interested in volunteering or sponsoring the event can contact stratfordmakersmarket@gmail.com.