Darkened skies couldn't keep crowds away from Carrot Fest on Friday evening.
Hundreds of people filled the streets in downtown Bradford for the opening evening of the long-running two-day festival, which included a vendors’ market, kids’ zone, plenty of food and dessert trucks, classic cars from the Back Alley Cruisers, buskers, two stages for musical performances, and, of course, appearances from mascots Gwilly and Captain Carrot.
The official opening ceremony also included Mayor James Leduc and members of council, who were joined by York-Simcoe MP Scot Davidson and York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney, as well as members of the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association, who were giving away free bags of carrots to attendees.
Friends, neighbours and relatives were able to browse, mingle and chat at their own pace in the pedestrian zone created by closing Holland Street to motor-vehicle traffic from Holland Court to Colbourne Street, as well as Barrie Street from Holland to John streets, and Simcoe Road from Holland to Mary streets.
Some of the many attendees shared their thoughts on this year’s festival with BradfordToday.
This year was the first time for Adam Casey attending the festival, and so far it made a positive first impression.
“It’s good,” he said. “I like it.”
Casey noted the vendors, food trucks, and activities for kids were all high points, and he didn’t feel the need to add anything to the long list of attractions already available.
While Casey wasn’t quite sure of his favourite part so far, Claire Casey jumped in with an answer on theme.
“I like the carrots,” she said.
Longtime festival goer Stephanie White estimated she’s been coming to Carrot Fest for about 15 years and bringing kids Talon and Avianna their whole lives.
While Talon most enjoyed the mini-putt, Avianna excitedly exclaimed the best part of the festival is “all of it.”
The only thing they felt was missing were the midway rides, and Talon thought there was room for more bouncy castles.
Jon Miller said he’s also been coming for about 15 to 20 years, and this year “it’s fantastic.”
His favourite part is getting out to see all the vendors and seeing everyone out and about in the community having fun together.
He didn’t see the need for the town to make any changes.
“They do a pretty good job,” he said.
David Martinheira said he’s been enjoying the festival for about 20 years, especially the half-and-half soft-serve ice cream.
“It’s always nice coming down here,” he said. “It’s just a way to get out of the house and see some people we know and check out some of the local vendors.”
Well known in town for serving library patrons for more than 36 years, Heidi Northover said she’s been attending Carrot Fest since before it was known by that name and still has one of the original Carrot Fest T-shirts. While that wasn’t part of her outfit Friday evening, Northover said she had plans to return on Saturday wearing her ‘I Love Gwilly’ shirt.
Her favourite parts of the festival include browsing the various vendor booths, checking out the musical performances, and visiting the library tent.
While the festival has roots reaching back to the Salad Festival of the 1970s, the name Carrot Fest was first used in 1998, in recognition of the Holland Marsh at one point producing about 70 per cent of Canada’s carrots, according to information from the town.
The town estimates about 50,000 people participate in the festival each year and that it generates about $1 million locally.
The festival continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
