The first ever Chatham-Kent International Food Festival originally planned for mid-August has been postponed until 2025.
The festival was to take place at Tecumseh Park in Chatham August 16-18, 2024, but organizers cited increased event infrastructure and service costs, lack of sponsorships, and vendor availability as factors in deciding to delay the event.
"We are extremely saddened to announce that the First annual Chatham Kent International Food Fest will be postponed until next year. A variety of factors have made our decision a tough one for this year, but we believe by doing this postponement we can offer a much better event to the community of Chatham-Kent in 2025," read the event's social media post.
Organizers also noted events in Ontario this year have seen their infrastructure costs increase by 30-40 per cent while revenues have decreased between 40 and 60 per cent for most events.
"Our team started the sponsorship push in January, with very few businesses able to assist. We applied for a grant which also fell through," organizers said.
They added "a good range" of smaller food vendors were lined up and ready to participate, but to include food from around the globe, they realized the weekend they chose is one of the largest weekends for traveling food trucks with the CNE in Toronto kicking off the same weekend.
"With all this working against us, we did see the support from the community and people who wanted to attend, so we do not wish to “cancel”, but rather so move forward with postponing and making this event worth your support!" the post stated. "Our organizers plan to re-group and make this event spectacular for 2025."
The food festival was part of the Taste of Chatham-Kent event over the next two months, which is moving forward as planned.
