Outdoors: A taste of Hearst

I had a chance to have a chat with organizer, Sylvie Fontaine, executive director of Economic Development Corporation for the Town of Hearst, about this fantastic event and who is busy confirming participants and entertainers for this regional cuisine and French-Canadian experience.

With 19 to 20 vendors during the busiest season, it’s a small but mighty market. Vendors offer a great deal of variety of food and craft products, including local honey, maple syrup, fruits, vegetables, herbs, smoked fish, preserves, and home baking, as well as unique craft items like handmade soaps and hand weaved rugs. All vendors have been certified by the Algoma Health Unit.

She says the theme of the event is showcasing and celebrating regional food/beverage products from food, beer and other alcoholic beverages, produced or crafted in northern Ontario, especially the Hearst/Cochrane area.

The festival will be happening Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in downtown Hearst under the big tent and everyone, from young families to seniors are invited.

On the Friday evening, to start the festival off, there will be a “Food Truck and Beer” theme, with bison from Earlton, Ontario, Bussiere sausage, poutine and duck, as well as a craft beer tasting by Sleeping Giant Craft Brewery from Thunder Bay, Ontario. In the evening, musician, Yanick Pepin from Montreal, Quebec, will be entertaining the crowd with his exceptional, fun style of music.

On Saturday, a Farmers’ Market will kick off the event with area farmers and producers selling their harvest bounty, along with preserves and baking. For a special treat, there will be a Canada 150 memorable presentation with First Nations drumming and dancing with unique traditional food samplings.

- Sandra J. Trainor

Read the full article about this year’s A Taste of Hearst Festival.