Chamber News

Lisa Grills & Matthew Watters show off their passports – the event as Lisa remembers it from 1984 and how we’ll get to experience it in 2020!

What’s old is new again…  we hear it said often but never more true than this year as the Belleville Chamber of Commerce had to consider the cancellation of the annual celebration in Zwick’s Park usually held the 2^nd weekend in July. 

The food is a favourite for many who come each year and as restaurants were starting to offer pickup and delivery services again, the festival organizers started to talk about reviving the original tradition of traveling the city to try different foods. 

Curbside Culture – a take-out food adventure – will take place on July 10, 11 & 12 and features multiple locations offering a variety of foods from different countries.  The original program was created by the Quinte Ethnic Council and featured a number of ethnic community groups, coordinated by volunteers and their families.  Over the years, the groups have transitioned and more and more, the featured foods at the festival are coming from local restaurateurs – some of whom got their start with the event. 

Chilangos is a prime example of how traditional Mexican food was introduced to Belleville and is now a local favourite restaurant in the Downtown District. 

Jim’s Pizzeria and India Curry House are also regulars at Waterfront so moving to their restaurant locations this year wasn’t a stretch.

And while Tibet's volunteer group isn't available this year, you can still find the traditional momo dish at the Oriental Wok & Himalayan Restaurant on Dundas St.

Thairific is a newer addition to the festival and through a partnership with the Quinte Curling Club will be serving Thai food at the Fairgrounds, alongside a new group of volunteers from Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church who will feature German bratwurst & strudel. 

The sudden passing of Doreta in February (“Taste of the Islands” Caribbean) had already challenged the organizers but Jerkebago’s food truck was a great fit to fill in and the Fairgrounds will be a super family stop with those three countries (and our two favourite treat trucks Squeezy Lemonade and Beavertails).

And we’re excited to welcome Mr. Zed’s in the Downtown District to represent Greece.

The Boathouse (& Pier) & Sans Souci round out the taste experience by featuring some Canadian favourites from Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

The Passport will guide you to all the locations and offers the chance to win a prize – visit each location where the answer to that country’s trivia question will be posted – drop them back off at the Log Cabin at the end of the weekend to be entered in a draw.

Passports are available at the Log Cabin, 5 Moira St. East or online at https://www.bellevillewaterfrontfestival.com/photos/custom/J26291_54053.pdf .  Passports are also available now at any of the participating vendors. 

Follow the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/2319254885043711/ and watch for more details on each country’s background and menu items.  Watch for details on how to pre-register coming soon (this will help our “countries” plan for your arrival!)

Each venue will be open from 11 am – 7 pm and have a tasting feature at $10 or less so you can try a few over the 3 days.

WHY register when you don't need a ticket?

This helps our host countries know you're hoping to try their food.

Pre-registering won't guarantee availability but it really helps our host countries plan for their guests; we'd hate for them to run out of your favourite! 

It's as easy as 1-2-3-4.  Click here to pre-register now.