Skip to content

Get ready for your Strawberry Buzz

Strawberry Buzz taking place at 13 venues on June 24 and 25
web1_strawberry-buzz

Well we have definitely waited a while this spring for the warmth and growing season to take off. They say patience pays off, and the great news is that the local strawberry season has arrived.

Have you noticed that many roadside stands are now popping up with strawberries, and there are some celebrations on the horizon featuring our delicious beyond compare bright red juicy local strawberries. One festival you have to check out is the upcoming Strawberry Buzz Festival, June 24-25.

Part festival, part rural ramble, and fully an event for all ages, the Strawberry Buzz Festival spans the whole weekend and includes a free self-guided tour and two fantastic special events all celebrating the divine flavour of the local strawberry. A feature festival of CRFAIR’s Flavour Trails circuit, it’s a great opportunity to connect to the growers and makers at the peak of the season.

“There is just no comparison of local strawberries to the imported ones,” states one local chef. “Our coolers and freezers are ready, and we are itching to fill them to the brim.”

But filling freezers is the “later” treat – that kind we will all enjoy in the depths of winter. For now, the pleasure is decadent and in the moment. It is outside, in the warmth, savouring the juiciness of local fruit. And that’s what Strawberry Buzz Festival is all about.

During the weekend, local farmers, chefs and vintners, cider-makers and brewers will open their doors wide and feature local strawberries in their fresh glory and paired, infused, muddled, baked or blended into something delicious. There will be sampling, music, kids’ activities, farm tours and fantastic places to just pause and enjoy the vista.

“And what’s great about the festival,” says Flavour Trails co-ordinator Jelena Putnik, “is that the festival gives us a chance to explore a new corner of the peninsula and maybe meet a grower or see a vineyard or cidery that we haven’t seen before. It’s just wonderful to be able to taste and buy from the source.”

There is a stellar lineup of 13 venues that are taking part and information about each, including a brochure and map, can be found at www.flavourtrails.com. Alongside the tour, you won’t want to miss the two mouth-watering special events, a pig roast in the orchard and pancake breakfast at the farm, both fundraisers for CRFAIR’s GoodFood campaign.

The Simply deVine Pig Roast, on Saturday from 1-4 p.m., features the culinary talents of chef Mitchel Morse (The Fickle Fig) and takes place on the gorgeous grounds of de Vine Vineyards, 6181B Old West Saanich Rd. This all-inclusive pig roast dinner highlights locally raised meat, a fantastic strawberry dessert and the sweet sounds, fresh from the Montreal Jazz Festival, of Slim Sandy and the Hillbilly Beboppers. Tickets can be purchased online at www.flavourtrails.com.

On Sunday from 9:30-11:30 a.m., you will want to go to Dan’s Farm Market, 2030 Bear Hill Rd., for the Family Strawberry Pancake Breakfast. Fluffy pancakes piled high with fresh strawberries picked from Guite Farm down the road, and topped with real whip cream … it doesn’t get better. For pancakes, music, kids activities and farm animals the price is $8 for adults or $5 for kids, so load up the family and come on out.

See you on the flavour trail this weekend and enjoy the Strawberry Buzz.

Linda Geggie is the executive director with the Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable and can be reached at lgeggie@cfair.ca.