TASTE the County

Prince Edward County presents its 12^th annual TASTE community grown – a highly anticipated festival that showcases local history, film, music, art and the rich foods and wines from this scenic region.

From September 27-29, Prince Edward County will come alive with the vibrant energy brought on by this purely epicurean experience. TASTE community grown offers the perfect chance for a weekend getaway. All weekend long, vendors and speakers will entertain crowds of visitors. Discover the magic of this enchanting island community. This year, TASTE community grown has been extended from one to three days. With so much to see and do, and a picturesque area to do it in – well, what more could an epicurean ask for?

The opening Friday night features Dinner and a Movie Under the Stars at Camp Picton. The night starts with regional wine or beer and a delicious meal prepared by a well-known regional chef. While enjoying your dinner, you’ll see this World War II sergeants’ mess hall and listen to live music performed by Kristine Schmitt and her Special Powers of swinging honky-tonk, ’30s blues & original tunes. An outdoor screening of the movie Stories We Tell will be sponsored by the Kingston Canadian Film Festival.

At the Crystal Palace (on Saturday), you can treat yourself to the delicious culinary aspects the region has to offer. A market of chefs, farmers, winemakers, brewers and food producers will be set up while vendors let you experience the best they have to offer. During the day, there is also a pie auction, multiple guest speakers, seminars and a live version of the TV show County Chopped in which comedian Sandy Jobin-Bevans will be the MC. As well, there will be some children’s programming such as bread-making and home-made pizza presented by The Hub Child and Family Centre and Slow Food The County.

The day will not be devoid of song as River City Junction, Mark Taylor and Linzy McMurter will be on hand to perform live sets of their music while music becomes the main event in the evening with the Back 40 Bash – featuring some of Canada’s top new country music artists. On the back grounds of the Crystal Palace, Lindsay Broughton and the duo Autumn Hill will start the show at 7pm. The headline band is Juno-nominated band High Valley and everyone will remain well fed by the gourmet food trucks on site.

Sunday is the Kiwanis Colour Cribbage Ride, a bike ride through the back roads of the community. With various refreshment stations and check points, this ride shows off the goings-on in the community and is a pleasant and relaxing way to finish off an eventful weekend.

TASTE community grown is listed in the Top 100 Events by Festivals & Events Ontario. With its recent expansion, TASTE community grown proves that these last 12 years have been a raging success in bringing together a community so abundant in food, wine and history.