By Emily Jaycox For the Independent
The 2019 Taste of the Heartland three-part event will be held in the County of Stettler Aug. 10, 2019.
The Stettler Regional Board of Trade and Community Development and Stettler County invites locals to come and “be immersed in the lifestyle with delectable food and rural hospitality right in the heart of Alberta.”
“It’s a way to celebrate agricultural life and show the community how we can utilize ingredients in our own backyard,” said Donna Morris, board of trade project manager.
Ticket sales opened on Monday, March 11 and are already selling.
“If you want tickets I suggest getting them right away,” said Morris.
The day-long event begins with a Farm to Fork VIP Bus Tour of four local farms.
The bus leaves from the County of Stettler Shop at 9 a.m.
Participants get to see farm life up close and personal before enjoying a farm fresh lunch in a scenic rural setting at one of the participating farms.
At the conclusion of the tour in mid-afternoon, people will have a chance to relax and change their attire in time to enjoy the long table dinner to be held on Stettler’s historic Main Street.
There is a limit of 100 people for the dinner.
The culinary portion of the evening will be begin with the Chopped Challenge, a new event this year.
Local chefs will prepare hor d’oeuvres with supplied, impromptu ingredients and the guests will determine the winner.
The menu is yet to be announced, but will feature local produce and meats.
Brenda Brinson, of Brenda’s Cozy Cafe, will be the head chef for the evening.
Spirits crafted from local crops will also be served, with a local brewery, distillery and winery already confirmed for the event.
The evening will wrap up with a street dance with live entertainment.
The final choice of band was made on March 18 and is to be announced.
This is the second Taste of the Heartland event.
The event was cancelled last year due to lack of ticket sales, but the event has been “revamped” and is “new and improved” this year, says Morris.
The street dance is another new addition to the 2019 event.
Tickets are $25 for the bus tour, $60 for the dinner and dance, and $5 for the dance at the gate.
The package rate for all three events is $75 per person.
Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.ca. Search for “Farm to Fork Bus Tour.”