Chatham saw thousands of sweet treat lovers over the weekend.
Visitors came from all over Southwestern Ontario to take part in Chatham-Kent's second annual Tart and Soul Butter Tart Festival.
"This festival is about so much more than butter tarts," said festival founder Doug Robbins. "It's about community, supporting small businesses, celebrating Canadian traditions, and creating an event that people genuinely look forward to. Seeing thousands of smiling faces enjoying the day made every minute of planning worthwhile."
Dozens of tarts were available to the public to taste, before votes were cast for the coveted People's Choice Award.
The 2026 winner was the Bomb Bish Bakery from Welland. Windsor's Roast 'N Toast was the runner up.
An independent panel of judges conducted blind tastings to determine the best traditional and specialty butter tarts.
The top traditional award went to Shelburne's The Ten of Tarts, while the top specialty tart came from Windsor's ZuleEats.
"The quality was simply outstanding," Robbins said, congratulating all the bakers who took part in the festival. "Our judges had an incredibly difficult job, and our guests certainly didn't have it any easier deciding on the People's Choice. You could say the competition was anything but half-baked."
The festival, held at Sons of Kent Brewery, also showcased music, local artisans, makers, food vendors, and community organizations.
Planning is already underway for the next Tart and Soul Festival.
