After hosting child-friendly activities all summer, the Town of Okotoks is serving up its adult population with drinks, food and music this weekend.
The Town is hosting its inaugural Okotober Food Fest featuring a variety of craft beer, selection of food trucks and east coast music by cover band Haggis Oct. 21 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“There’s a buzz on the street that this is a cool concept,” said Mark Doherty, Okotoks community events specialist. “We hope it’s going to be successful from the get-go.”
Okotoks is known for its family-friendly events throughout the year, particularly in the summer, but Doherty said the community lacks outdoor downtown events for adults only.
“Over the past six years people have been saying, ‘You should do something for adults,’” he said. “We are very heavy in events in the summer time, that’s typically the norm, so we thought we would try it out this year and see if there is an interest in it.”
To support local businesses, Doherty got in touch with food trucks and breweries from the region to supply eats and beverages for the event.
Food selections will include barbecue prime rib, grilled chicken, pulled chicken and pork and oven-baked pizza along Clark Avenue. Four microbreweries from the Foothills and south Calgary will each offer four different types of craft beer with tasting at the Landmark site, Doherty said.
“These are all great local guys that really have great products,” he said. “It’s supporting the local economy to create some excitement in the downtown.”
Those wanting to sample beer can purchase a five-ounce souvenir mug for $5 and beer sampling tickets for $2 each.
McRae Street will be closed to allow for foot traffic between the Landmark site, food trucks and live music at the plaza.
“We hope to have people dancing on the street,” Doherty said. “Hopefully, people will spend time downtown and spend money at our pubs afterwards.”
For more details about Okotober Food Fest go to Okotoks.ca
