BrewFest CK announced as finalist for provincial award

After a successful summer, BrewFest CK organizers have another big reason to toast this year.

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The popular festival, which involves local breweries hosting events on different dates, is up for a Culinary Tourism Award of Excellence, as part of the overall Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence.

Chatham-Kent Tourism nominated BrewFest CK for the recognition.

“We are super excited and thrilled to hear that we have been named as a finalist for the TIAO (Tourism Industry Association of Ontario) award for Culinary Tourist Event of The Year in Ontario,” Denny Vervaet, co-owner of Red Barn Brewing Co ., said in a recent release.

“BrewFest CK is a collaborative effort between all four Chatham-Kent breweries that work hard to create four exciting fests each summer at each location that includes food trucks, local vendors, local businesses, local and national entertainment and talent while celebrating beer and our local communities. Next year we will be launching our fourth BrewFest and we can’t wait to see everyone back again.”

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Other breweries involved included Sons of Kent, Bayside and Glasstown.

BrewFest CK originated as Farm-Fest at Red Barn in 2021, marking its official grand opening after being unable to celebrate due to pandemic restrictions on public gatherings.

“We are extremely proud of BrewFest CK being named a finalist for Culinary Event of the Year,” Shannon Paiva, Chatham-Kent’s supervisor of tourism development, said in the release.

“This event is so unique due to the collaboration of our four breweries, bringing visitors to the area and elevating the local economy on four separate occasions. It’s incredible to see their efforts recognized.”

The Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence celebrate success and recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the industry in the province.

Winners will be announced at the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario Tourism Summit on Oct. 23 in Hamilton.

For more information about the conference and the awards, visit www.tiaontario.ca/cpages/2024-finalists-winners

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