Stratford Makers Market hosts first-ever Food Festival a celebration of local flavours

Food lovers, mark your calendars!

The Stratford Makers Market is bringing a brand-new, mouthwatering event to the city – the first-ever Food Festival. Taking place on Saturday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stratford Rotary Complex, this one-day-only event is set to highlight an incredible array of local food artisans, bakers and culinary creatives.

The idea for the festival was born out of the overwhelming number of food-vendor applications the Stratford Makers Market receives for its regular, seasonal events.

“We often host markets around holidays such as Easter and Christmas, and with each market, we get dozens and dozens of food-vendor applications,” said Sara Clarke, co-owner of Stratford Makers Market. “This year, we thought, why don’t we have a food festival, an event where people can gather and shop from local small businesses that offer only food-related products?”

This isn’t just any food market; this is an all-out celebration of flavours, bringing together a diverse lineup of vendors offering everything from freshly baked bread, soft pretzels and pies to gourmet cheeses, kombucha, sauces, spices and even frozen pizzas. The festival is packed with both sweet and savoury delights.

“We tried to get the most diverse group of food vendors for this event,” Clarke said. “The only thing we don’t have are fresh vegetables, which you can grab before the event at the Stratford Farmers’ Market that morning.”

For those looking to indulge in something extra special, expect cotton candy, popcorn, desserts, cannoli, jams, pickled products, candy and more. This festival is a food lover’s dream, and Stratford’s local culinary scene is ready to impress.

Beyond the incredible selection of edible delights, the Food Festival also promises an interactive and family-friendly experience. Attendees can get their faces painted by Picasso Painters (with designs ranging from $5-15) or have a custom caricature drawn on site. And what’s a food festival without some tasty food trucks? There will be plenty of food trucks on site to serve up hot and delicious street food throughout the day.

This event isn’t just about indulging in amazing food, it’s about supporting the Stratford community. Admission is by donation, with all proceeds going to The Local Community Food Centre, an organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity through programs that focus on access to food, food education and community engagement.

“All donations collected the day of the event will be given to The Local Community Food Centre,” Clarke said. “They do incredible work in the community and we’re thrilled to support them through this festival.”

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie, a casual marketgoer or simply looking for a fun, flavourful way to spend your Saturday, the Food Festival welcomes all.

“Our target audience is anyone and everyone who loves food!” Clarke said.

This event will be fully accessible, ensuring everyone can come out and enjoy the incredible food and festivities.

While vendor spots are completely booked, attendees can support local businesses by coming out to shop, sample and savour all that Stratford’s food scene has to offer.

This is the first-ever Food Festival hosted by Stratford Makers Market, and the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We have received great support and feedback from the community,” Clarke said. “We are very excited for this event!”

For the organizers, who describe themselves as foodies at heart, the festival is a perfect way to showcase Stratford’s culinary talent and passion for good food.

“We’re just excited to be able to showcase a variety of small businesses with delicious products that we can’t wait to share with everyone,” Clarke added.

So, grab shopping bags, bring an appetite, and get ready for a festival that will leave everyone’s taste buds delighted!