The third annual homage to the wide variety of food choices in and around Cochrane will be held at Mitford Park on Sunday, Aug. 13, from noon to 7 pm.
Local foodies rejoice – the Cochrane Food Fest is back bigger and better than ever this year, and the expanded format will allow those so inclined to have lunch, be entertained, and have supper, too.
In between, a little dancing is on the menu as well, for those looking to burn off some of the calories from the continuous snacking.
The third annual homage to the wide variety of food choices in and around Cochrane will be held at Mitford Park on Sunday, Aug. 13, from noon to 7 pm.
Organizer Kailey Mitchell of Quirk Social said this year, they’re expanding the event. In addition to the multiple food trucks, local restaurants like Aama Nepalese Cuisine, Canadian Brewhouse and Mehtab East Indian Cuisine will also offer up their fare.
“There’ll be lots of great food and drink options from Cochrane and area,” Mitchell said, “And the smaller portions let you try more things.”
“Big Dog Smokehouse is coming from Canmore, which sounds like a lot of fun.”
In addition to a viable excuse for snacking, the Food Fest, which is presented by Debbie Leah Real Estate Group, will be about other ways food plays a role in our lives.
The Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area will be there to talk about food security and other programs they’re involved in, and Mitchell said holding the event on a Sunday allows them to add a small marketplace featuring vendors from the Cochrane Farmers’ Market that runs through the summer at the SLS Centre on Saturdays.
“So it’s not just about eating that day, but more about food in general,” she said.
The all-ages event will also include a kids zone, beer garden, and live music throughout the day.
“You come, have lunch, have a beer, go get some dinner, have another beer, watch more of the interesting things, and spread it out a little bit,” Mitchell said.
She added the live music will give snackers an opportunity to dance off some calories.
Musical performances on the Found Books and Tim Hortons Stage will include Calgary’s Alex Hughes, Ashley Ghostkeeper, Austin O’Keefe, and Anna Lewis.
Rounding the evening off will be The Found House Band, a local group from Cochrane.
The MacKay’s Kids Zone will feature activities for the whole family, including face-painting, horse rides, old school picnic games, prizes, MacKay’s 75th Anniversary swag, and more.
Organizers have moved away from a ticketing system and patrons will pay for their food samples directly at each vendor.
Cochrane Food Fest picnic blankets are available at The Social Spot Marketplace on main street and on site during the event. Guests are encouraged to bike to the event, with bike parking available from Big Hill Cycle. Parking near Mitford Park is very limited, so walking and carpooling are strongly encouraged.
To learn more about the festival, including a list of vendor menus, visit quirksocial.ca/cochrane-food-fest or follow @cochranefoodfest on Instagram and Facebook.