PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEANNETTE BREWARD
Cultivate is a year-round non-profit organization focused on local food initiatives in Northumberland County, Ontario. Its biggest annual project is Cultivate: A Festival of Food and Drink — three days of live music, local food and craft beer in downtown Port Hope. Cultivate’s second year was a time of major growth, yet in spite of the unknowns organizers faced, crowds gathered from across the province to spend the weekend in a sunshine-filled park to take in a pie-baking contest, gourmet cotton candy and slow-cooked tacos, and musical performers like Corb Lund, Basia Bulat and The Good Lovelies. If you missed it, get a taste of the festival in the form of Cultivate’s curated local food Christmas baskets, available December 1. And mark your calendar for next year — the third edition of Cultivate: A Festival of Food and Drink will take place September 22-24, 2017.
Joel Maccharles, author of Batch, discusses how easy it is to make your own sauerkraut.
Haute Goat had a wide selection of delicious goat’s milk treats for sale – from fudge, to caramel corn.
Children took part in a giant colouring book drawn by local artist Katie Flindall, seen here adding some finishing touches in the background.
The Elwins rocked the stage on Saturday evening.
Local beer vendors were on hand to provide delicious beverages to the thirsty patrons.
Lively discussion over delicious drinks!
What better midday treat for the kids then a fresh locally grown apple?
The cotton candy booth was a big hit amongst young and old alike.
The Mill’s chef preps for all of the BBQ corn sales to come.
Tanika Charles lit up the stage and had the crowd on their feet!
The hard working trio behind Cultivate – Nicole, Jeff and Amelia.
The wood fire pizza was a huge hit – they even had an amazing breakfast pizza!
Nutritionist Adam Hudson whips up a batch of pumpkin risotto.
Christine Benson walks kids through the stamp making process at the art tent.
Ruby of Ruby’s Cotton Candy Club ready to take on the day bright and early!
Baby Forrest enjoys a ride on the tractor in the kids play zone.
The pie judging contest must have been a tough call – there were so many beautiful and delicious entries.
Breakfast for two from Slow Taco.
An amazing crowd gathered in Port Hope to enjoy all of the music, food and fun that the festival had to offer.
Sunday finished up with a pumpkin carving station.
Food themed face painting by artist Larissa Clayton was a huge hit!
Local and hand crafted Empire Cider drinks are always a crowd pleaser.
The Good Lovelies put on an amazing show to close out the weekend. Not only are they talented Juno Award winners – they are also made up of Northhumberland County locals.
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