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Cowichan Craft Beer & Food Festival
Small Town, Big Festival, Huge Excitement
Raise your glasses and cheer the news that the Chemainus Business Improvement Association (CBIA) is hosting the Cowichan Craft Beer and Food Festival for its fourth year.
On Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Doc Lewis Park in Chemainus, the festival will showcase a wide array of Vancouver Island and BC regional breweries, complemented by artisanal food pairings from the Cowichan region.
“We are ecstatic to host an event of this scale in our charming town of Chemainus, which is typically reserved for larger markets like Victoria or Vancouver,” says Krystal Adams, executive director of the CBIA.
The Cowichan Craft Beer and Food Festival stands out in the Cowichan Valley for its exclusive focus on the craft beer movement, making it the largest event of its kind in the mid-region.
This year, in collaboration with the BC Craft Brewers Guild, the festival is recognized as one of the select few guild-recommended events across British Columbia. Following the success of the 2022 event, this festival is featuring over 30 craft breweries pouring more than 100 beers. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of local food and merchandise vendors from around the valley and the region beyond.
Multiple transportation companies will provide shuttle services to and from Duncan, Crofton, Maple Bay, Cowichan Bay, Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Chemainus, as well as from parking areas in Duncan and Chemainus to the festival venue at Doc Lewis Park (9740 Elm Street, Chemainus).
Official organizer this year is Mindsai Creative, whose director, Brennan Hinchsliff will be the lead, along with coorganizer Nikki Beach of Hops & Vine.
“As we are only a small organization and the event itself has grown so much over the years, we thought it prudent to bring in a dedicated team to execute the day-to-day and manage the event while we set the overall consistent vision attendees have been accustom to,” notes Adams.
“Our previous festival sold out, with hundreds on the waitlist. We have opened up the tickets this year to allow for everyone to attend,” adds Adams.
“We’re committed to continuing with live music, seating areas, fun activities like big games and a few other surprises. It’s going to be bigger and better than any year before,” says Hinchsliff.
Tickets are available online at www. craftbeerandfoodfest.com, with prices starting at $44 for general admission, making it one of the most affordable events of its kind on Vancouver Island. Additionally, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to charity in the name of the Craft Brewers Guild.
Each general entry ticket will allow for entry into the Craft Beer and Food Festival as well as live music on the festival grounds, five tasting tokens, a commemorative keepsake tasting glass and the opportunity to win a prize and more.
VIP tickets are offered this year and allow for early entry with an additional hour of tasting time, double the tokens and other amazing perks.
