By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – Seaway Food Festival founder Sebastien Manigat’s taste for untapped potential has led to a new beery celebration in Cornwall set for July.
Cornwall’s inaugural Summer Beer Fest will take over the Jet Set Pub patio (Nav Centre) on Saturday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“At the moment, there is no similar event in the SD&G area,” said Manigat. “Our belief is that there are growing segments of Cornwall residents who are yearning for this type of social and cultural experience.”
The festival aims to attract all members of the community to a unique gathering that will promote local restaurants and various regional breweries via tastings, samples, promotional materials, and one-on-one information sessions.
Breweries such as Big Rig, Cassel Brewery, Barley Days, Bicycle Craft, Lake of Bays, and La Tuque de Broue will be on site during the festivities. The full list will be revealed by early June.
Several restaurants and eating establishments will also be participating as food vendors during the event, including Bar Q, Truffles & Table 21, Schnitzels, Moustache Joe’s, and Love Love Food.
Christian Barque, owner of Bar Q, witnessed a tremendous response from his customers and the community in the past two editions of the Seaway Food Festival.
“People are genuinely excited that we are promoting our businesses and our community as a whole in this manner,” said Barque. “This is another way for us to do so in a fun summer setting. We are very much looking forward to it!”
Local craft brewers have recognized the Jet Set Pub and Cornwall as a community starving for the craft industry, according to Ian Bentley, food & beverage director at Nav Centre.
“My goal since arriving to the Nav Centre last fall has been to increase the overall awareness and selection of craft in the area,” said Bentley. “So far all the Jet Set Pub’s initiatives are exceeding every expectation I could have had.”
Summer Beer Fest tickets are $10 each.
Guests will be able to purchase coupons (2/$5 or 5/$10) on site that they can exchange for alcoholic or food consumptions.
“Live entertainment coupled with the shared-seating arrangement provided by the picnic tables will create a unique experience for all festivalgoers,” said Manigat.
Tickets will go on sale starting June 1 at the participating establishments, Nav Centre, and seawayfoodfestival.ca/summer-beer-fest.
